Aminooxy-modified oligonucleotides and methods for making same

ABSTRACT

Oligonucleotides and other macromolecules are provided which have increased nuclease resistance, substituent groups (such as 2&#39;-aminooxy groups) for increasing binding affinity to complementary strand, and subsequences of 2&#39;-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl nucleotides that activate RNase H. Such oligonucleotides and macromolecules are useful for diagnostics and other research purposes, for modulating the expression of a protein in organisms, and for the diagnosis, detection and treatment of other conditions susceptible to oligonucleotide therapeutics.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of allowed application Ser. No. 09/016,520, filed on Jan. 30, 1998, which claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/037,143, filed on Feb. 14, 1997, now abandoned. The contents of Ser. No. 09/016,520 are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to aminooxy-modified oligonucleotides, to oligonucleotides that elicit RNase H for cleavage in a complementary nucleic acid strand, and to oligonucleotides wherein at least some of the nucleotides are functionalized to be nuclease resistant, at least some of the nucleotides of the oligonucleotide include a substituent that potentiates hybridization of the oligonucleotide to a complementary strand of nucleic acid, and at least some of the nucleotides of the oligonucleotide include 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar moieties. The inclusion of one or more aminooxy moieties in such oligonucleotide provides, inter alia, for improved binding of the oligonucleotides to a complementary strand. The oligonucleotides and macromolecules are useful for therapeutics, diagnostics and as research reagents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oligonucleotides are known to hybridize to single-stranded RNA or single-stranded DNA. Hybridization is the sequence specific base pair hydrogen bonding of bases of the oligonucleotides to bases of target RNA or DNA. Such base pairs are said to be complementary to one another.

In determining the extent of hybridization of an oligonucleotide to a complementary nucleic acid, the relative ability of an oligonucleotide to bind to the complementary nucleic acid may be compared by determining the melting temperature of a particular hybridization complex. The melting temperature (T_(m)) a characteristic physical property of double helices, denotes the temperature in degrees centigrade, at which 50% helical (hybridized) versus coil (unhybridized) forms are present. T_(m) is measured by using the UV spectrum to determine the formation and breakdown (melting) of the hybridization complex. Base stacking which occurs during hybridization, is accompanied by a reduction in UV absorption (hypochromicity). Consequently, a reduction in UV absorption indicates a higher T_(m). The higher the T_(m), the greater the strength of the bonds between the strands.

Oligonucleotides can be used to effect enzymatic cleavage of a target RNA by using the intracellular enzyme, RNase H. The mechanism of such RNase H cleavage requires that a 2′-deoxyribofuranosyl oligonucleotide hybridize to a target RNA. The resulting DNA-RNA duplex activates the RNase H enzyme and the activated enzyme cleaves the RNA strand. Cleavage of the RNA strand destroys the normal function of the RNA. Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides operate via this type of mechanism. However, for a DNA oligonucleotide to be useful for cellular activation of RNase H, the oligonucleotide must be reasonably stable to nucleases in order to survive in a cell for a time period sufficient for RNase H activation. For non-cellular uses, such as use of oligonucleotides as research reagents, such nuclease stability may not be necessary.

Several publications of Walder et al. describe the interaction of RNase H and oligonucleotides. Of particular interest are: (1) Dagle et al., Nucleic Acids Research 1990, 18, 4751; (2) Dagle et al., Antisense Research And Development 1991, 1, 11; (3) Eder et al., J. Biol. Chem. 1991, 266, 6472; and (4) Dagle et al., Nucleic Acids Research 1991, 19, 1805. According to these publications, DNA oligonucleotides having both unmodified phosphodiester internucleoside linkages and modified phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages are substrates for cellular RNase H. Since they are substrates, they activate the cleavage of target RNA by RNase H. However, the authors further note that in Xenopus embryos, both phosphodiester linkages and phosphorothioate linkages are also subject to exonuclease degradation. Such nuclease degradation is detrimental since it rapidly depletes the oligonucleotide available for RNase H activation.

As described in references (1), (2) and (4), to stabilize oligonucleotides against nuclease degradation while still providing for RNase H activation, 2′-deoxy oligonucleotides having a short section of phosphodiester linked nucleotides positioned between sections of phosphoramidate, alkyl phosphonate or phosphotriester linkages were constructed. Although the phosphoramidate-containing oligonucleotides were stabilized against exonucleases, in reference (4) the authors noted that each phosphoramidate linkage resulted in a loss of 1.6° C. in the measured T_(m) value of the phosphoramidate containing oligonucleotides. Such a decrease in the T_(m) value is indicative of an decrease in hybridization between the oligonucleotide and its target strand.

Other authors have commented on the effect such a loss of hybridization between an oligonucleotide and its target strand can have. Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO Journal 1991, 10, 1111, observed that even though an oligonucleotide could be a substrate for RNase H, cleavage efficiency by RNase H was low because of weak hybridization to the mRNA. The authors also noted that the inclusion of an acridine substitution at the 3′ end of the oligonucleotide protected the oligonucleotide from exonucleases.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,830, issued May 7, 1991, discloses mixed oligomers comprising an RNA oligomer, or a derivative thereof, conjugated to a DNA oligomer via a phosphodiester linkage. The RNA oligomers also bear 2′-O-alkyl substituents. However, being phosphodiesters, the oligomers are susceptible to nuclease cleavage.

European Patent application 339,842, filed Apr. 13, 1989, discloses 2′-O-substituted phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, including 2′-O-methylribooligonucleotide phosphorothioate derivatives. The above-mentioned application also discloses 2′-O-methyl phosphodiester oligonucleotides which lack nuclease resistance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,797, issued Sep. 22, 1992, discloses mixed phosphate backbone oligonucleotides which include an internal portion of deoxynucleotides linked by phosphodiester linkages, and flanked on each side by a portion of modified DNA or RNA sequences. The flanking sequences include methyl phosphonate, phosphoromorpholidate, phosphoropiperazidate or phosphoramidate linkages.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,775, issued Oct. 26, 1993, describe mixed oligonucleotides that incorporate phosphoramidate linkages and phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate linkages.

Although it has been recognized that cleavage of a target RNA strand using an oligonucleotide and RNase H would be useful, nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide and fidelity of hybridization are of great importance in the development of oligonucleotide therapeutics. Accordingly, there remains a long-felt need for methods and materials that could activate RNase H while concurrently maintaining or improving hybridization properties and providing nuclease resistance. Such oligonucleotides are also desired as research reagents and diagnostic agents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention there are provided oligonucleotides formed from a sequence of nucleotide units. The oligonucleotides incorporate a least one nucleotide unit that is functionalized to increase nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotides. Further, at least some of the nucleotide units of the oligonucleotides are functionalized with a substituent group to increase binding affinity of the oligonucleotides to target RNAs, and at least some of the nucleotide units have 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar moieties.

In one embodiment the first and third regions have the substituent group of the shown formula. In a further embodiment each of the substituent groups has the formula O—(CH₂)₂—O—NH₂. In an even further embodiment each of the substituent groups has the formula O—(CH₂)₂—O—N(CH₃)₂. In another embodiment each of the substituent groups has the formula O—(CH₂)₂—O—N═CH₂.

In preferred oligonucleotides of the present invention, nucleotide units which are functionalized for increased binding affinity are functionalized to include a 2′-substituent group. In preferred embodiments, the 2′-substituent group is a 2′-aminooxy group having one of the formulas:

wherein:

m is from 0 to 10 (preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably 2);

y is from 1 to 10 (preferably from 1 to 4, more preferably 1);

x is 1;

E is N(R₁) (R₂) or N═C(R₁) (R₂); and

each R₁ and R₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a nitrogen protecting group, or R₁ and R₂, together, are a nitrogen protecting group or wherein R₁ and R₂ are joined in a ring structure that can include at least one heteroatom selected from N and O. In a preferred group of compounds, R₁ and R₂ are H or alkyl. In a further group of compounds R₁ and R₂ are a nitrogen protecting group. Preferred nitrogen protecting groups include phthalimido-N-oxy and formaloximyl.

Certain preferred oligonucleotides of the invention are specifically hybridizable with DNA or RNA, and comprise a sequence of nucleotide units that is divided into a first region having 2′-O-alkyl substituted nucleotide units and a second region that is composed of nucleotide units having 2′-deoxy sugar moieties. The nucleotide units of at least one of the first or second regions should be connected by phosphorothioate linkages, and at least one of the 2′-O-alkyl substituted nucleotide units of the first region should bear a 2′-aminooxy group having one of the foregoing formulas. The nucleotide units of the first and second regions of such oligonucleotides can be connected by phosphorothioate linkages, or the nucleotide units of the first region can be connected by phosphodiester linkages and the nucleotide units of the second region can be connected by phosphorothioate linkages, or the nucleotide units of the first region can be connected by phosphorothioate linkages and the nucleotide units of the second region can be connected by phosphodiester linkages. Such oligonucleotides preferably have a total of about 5 to about 50 nucleotide units, and the second region in such oligonucleotides preferably has at least three nucleotide units, more preferably at least five nucleotide units.

The present invention provides oligonucleotides formed from a plurality of linked nucleosides including 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl-β-nucleosides. These nucleosides are connected by charged phosphorus linkages in a sequence that is specifically hybridizable with a complementary target nucleic acid. The sequence of linked nucleosides is divided into at least two subsequences. The first subsequence includes nucleosides, having 2′-aminooxyalkyl substituents, linked by charged 3′-5′ phosphorous linkages. The second subsequence consists of 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl-β-nucleosides linked by charged 3′-5′ phosphorous linkages bearing a negative charge at physiological pH. In further preferred embodiments there exists a third subsequence whose nucleosides are selected from those selectable for the first subsequence. In preferred embodiments the second subsequence is positioned between the first and third subsequences. Such oligonucleotides of the present invention are also referred to as “chimeric” or “gapped” oligonucleotides, or “chimeras.”

In certain preferred oligonucleotides of the invention having increased nuclease resistance, each nucleotide unit of the oligonucleotides is linked by phosphorothioate linkages. In other preferred oligonucleotides, the 3′ terminal nucleotide units are functionalized with 2′ substituents.

The oligonucleotides include a plurality of nucleotide units bearing substituent groups that increase binding affinity of the oligonucleotide to a complementary strand of nucleic acid. In certain preferred embodiments, the nucleotide units that bear such substituents can be divided into a first nucleotide unit subsequence and a second nucleotide unit subsequence, with 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl-containing nucleotide units being positioned between the first nucleotide unit subsequence and the second nucleotide unit subsequence. It is preferred that all such intervening nucleotide units be 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl units.

In further preferred oligonucleotides of the invention, nucleotide units bearing substituents that increase binding affinity are located at one or both of the 3′ or the 5′ termini of the oligonucleotide. There can be from one to about eight nucleotide units that are substituted with substituent groups. Preferably, at least five sequential nucleotide units are 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar moieties.

The present invention also provides macromolecules formed from a plurality of linked β-nucleosides including 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl β-nucleosides. These nucleosides are connected by linkages in a sequence that is hybridizable with a complementary nucleic acid. The linkages are selected from charged phosphorous linkages and non-phosphorous linkages. The sequence of linked nucleosides is divided into at least two regions. The first nucleoside region includes β-nucleosides linked by charged 3′-5′ phosphorous linkages and β-nucleosides linked by non-phosphorous linkages. A second nucleoside region consists of 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl β-nucleosides linked by charged 3′-5′ phosphorous linkages bearing a negative charge at physiological pH. In preferred embodiments, the macromolecules include at least 3 of said 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl β-nucleosides, more preferably at least 5 of said 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl β-nucleotides.

In further preferred embodiments there exists a third nucleoside region whose nucleosides are selected from those selectable for the first region. In preferred embodiments the second region is positioned between the first and third regions. Such oligonucleotides of the present invention are also referred to as “chimeras,” or “chimeric” or “gapped” oligonucleotides.

The nucleotides forming oligonucleotides of the present invention can be connected via phosphorus linkages. Preferred phosphorous linkages include phosphodiester, phosphorothioate and phosphorodithioate linkages, with phosphodiester and phosphorothioate linkages being particularly preferred.

The present invention also provides methods for preparing 2′-aminooxy oligonucleotides. In one embodiment, the methods relate to the preparation of nucleosides of the formula:

wherein:

Bx is a heterocyclic base;

T₁ and T₂, independently, are OH, a protected hydroxyl, an activated phosphate group, an activated phosphite group, a reactive group for forming an internucleotide linkage, a nucleotide, a nucleoside, or an oligonucleotide;

n is from 1 to 10;

E is N(R₁)(R₂) or N═C(R₁)(R₂); and

each R₁ and R₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a nitrogen protecting group, or R₁ and R₂, together, are a nitrogen protecting group or wherein R₁ and R₂ are joined in a ring structure wherein said ring can include at least one heteroatom selected from N and O.

Such methods comprise the steps of contacting a corresponding 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—OH nucleoside with N-hydroxyphthalimide for a time and under conditions effective to form a 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O— phthalimido nucleoside; and contacting the 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O— phthalimido nucleoside with a basic reagent (such as hydrazine, methylhydrazine, ammonia, alkylhydrazines, or methylamine) for a time and under conditions effective to form a 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N═C(R₁) (R₂) nucleoside. Such nucleosides can be contacted with a reducing agent for a time and under conditions effective to form the corresponding 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N(R₁) (R₂) nucleoside.

Preferred 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—OH nucleosides include those wherein Bx is 5-methyluridine, uridine, cytidine, 5-methylcytosine, guanosine, adenosine, or 2,6-diaminopurine. Bx also can be selected as uracil or 5-methyl uracil and then converted to cytosine or 5-methyl cytosine. In certain embodiments of the invention, selective transient chemical protection of primary hydroxyl and primary amino groups of the substituted nucleosides is utilized to perform method steps only at desired locations. 2′-O-Substituted nucleosides also can be protected with 5′-hydroxyl protecting groups to provide 5′-O-protected-2′-O-substituted nucleosides. In preferred embodiments such protection is effected using an acid-labile chemical protecting group such as a trityl, monomethoxytrityl, dimethoxytrityl, trimethoxytrityl, 9-phenylxanthine-9-yl or 9-(p-methoxyphenyl)xanthine-9-yl group. In further embodiments, the 5′-O-protected-2′-O-substituted nucleoside is converted to the phosphoramidite using a phosphitylating reagent. Preferred phosphitylating reagents include 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-isopropylphosphorodiamidite and 2-cyanoethyl diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite.

The present invention also provides methods for the synthesis of a 2′-O-substituted nucleosides of formula:

wherein:

Bj is a purine heterocyclic base;

T₁ and T₂, independently, are OH, a protected hydroxyl, an activated phosphate group, an activated phosphite group, a reactive group for forming an internucleotide linkage, a nucleotide, a nucleoside, or an oligonucleotide;

n is from 1 to 10;

E is N(R₁) (R₂) or N═C(R₁) (R₂);

each R₁ and R₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a nitrogen protecting group, or R₁ and R₂, together, are a nitrogen protecting group or wherein R₁ and R₂ are joined in a ring structure wherein the ring can include at least one heteroatom selected from N and O;

Such methods comprise the steps of alkylating a 2′-OH nucleoside to provide a 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—CH═CH₂ nucleoside; contacting the 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—CH═CH₂nucleoside with at least one oxidizing agent (such as ozone or 4-methylmorpholine-oxide/osmium tetraoxide followed by sodium periodate) for a time and under conditions effective to provide a 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—CHO nucleoside; reducing the 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—CHO nucleoside with a reducing agent for a time and under conditions effective to provide a 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—OH nucleoside; contacting the 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—OH nucleoside with N-hydroxyphthalimide for a time and under conditions effective to give a 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O-phthalimido nucleoside; and contacting the 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O-phthalimido nucleoside with a basic reagent for a time and under conditions effective to provide a 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N═C(R₁) (R₂) nucleoside. Such nucleosides can be contacted with a reducing agent for a time and under conditions effective to form the corresponding 2′—O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N(R₁) (R₂) nucleoside.

In preferred embodiments, Bj is 5-methyluridine, uridine, cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, adenosine or 2,6-diamino-purine. Selective transient chemical protection of primary hydroxyl and primary amino groups of the substituted nucleosides can be utilized to perform method steps at only desired locations. Also, 2,6-diaminopurine can be used and converted to guanine using adenosine deaminase, and/or the 2′-O-substituted nucleoside can be protected with a 5′-hydroxyl protecting group to give the 5′-O-protected-2′-O-substituted nucleoside. In preferred embodiments, such protection is effected using an acid-labile chemical protecting group such as a trityl, monomethoxytrityl, dimethoxytrityl, trimethoxytrityl, 9-phenylxanthine-9-yl or 9-(p-methoxyphenyl)xanthine-9-yl group. In further embodiments, the 5′-O-protected-2′-O-substituted nucleoside is converted to the phosphoramidite using a phosphitylating reagent. Preferred phosphitylating reagents include 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-isopropylphosphorodiamidite and 2-cyanoethyl diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite.

The invention also provides methods of treating an organism having a disease characterized by the undesired production of a protein. These methods include contacting the organism with an oligonucleotide having a sequence of nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a complementary strand of nucleic acid with at least one of the nucleotides being functionalized to increase nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide to nucleases, with a substituent group located thereon to increase binding affinity of the oligonucleotide to the complementary strand of nucleic acid, and with a plurality of the nucleotides have 2′-deoxyerythro-pentofuranosyl sugar moieties.

Further in accordance with the present invention there are provided compositions including a pharmaceutically effective amount of an oligonucleotide having a sequence of nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a complementary strand of nucleic acid having at least one of the nucleotides functionalized to increase nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide to nucleases, wherein a plurality of the nucleotides have a substituent group located thereon to increase binding affinity of the oligonucleotide to the complementary strand of nucleic acid, and wherein a plurality of the nucleotides have 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar moieties. The compositions further include a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Further in accordance with this invention there are provided methods for in vitro modification of a sequence specific nucleic acid including contacting a test solution containing an RNase H enzyme and said nucleic acid with an oligonucleotide having a sequence of nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing to a complementary strand of the nucleic acid, where at least one of the nucleotides is functionalized to increase nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide to nucleases, where a plurality of the nucleotides have a substituent group located thereon to increase binding affinity of the oligonucleotide to the complementary strand of nucleic acid, and where a plurality of the nucleotides have 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar moieties.

There are also provided methods of concurrently enhancing hybridization and RNase H enzyme activation in an organism that includes contacting the organism with an oligonucleotide having a sequence of nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing to a complementary strand of nucleic acid, where at least one of the nucleotides is functionalized to increase nuclease resistance of the oligonucleotide to nucleases, where a plurality of the nucleotides have a substituent group located thereon to increase binding affinity of the oligonucleotide to the complementary strand of nucleic acid, and where a plurality of the nucleotides have 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar moieties.

The invention further provides diagnostic methods for detecting the presence or absence of abnormal RNA molecules, or abnormal or inappropriate expression of normal RNA molecules in organisms or cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous objects and advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a synthesis of certain intermediates of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a synthesis of 5-methyluridine DMT-phosphoramidate having a protected aminooxyethyl group at the 2′-O position.

FIG. 3 shows a synthesis of certain intermediates of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a synthesis of adenosine DMT-phosphoramidate having a protected aminooxyethoxy group at the 2′ position.

FIG. 5 shows a synthesis of certain intermediates of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a synthesis of cytidine DMT-phosphoramidate having a protected aminooxyethoxy group at the 2′ position.

FIG. 7 shows a synthesis of certain intermediates of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a synthesis of guanidine DMT-phosphoramidate having a protected aminooxyethoxy group at the 2′ position.

FIG. 9 shows a synthesis of some intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a linking of compounds of the invention to CPG.

FIG. 11 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows a graph of % full length oligonucleotide versus time in minutes pertaining to effects of nuclease action on oligonucleotides.

FIG. 14 shows a graph of % full length oligonucleotide versus time in minutes pertaining to effects of nuclease action on oligonucleotides.

FIG. 15 shows a graph of % full length oligonucleotide versus time in minutes pertaining to effects of nuclease action on oligonucleotides.

FIG. 16 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 17 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 18 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 19 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 20 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 21 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 22 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 23 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 24 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 25 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 26 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 27 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 28 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

FIG. 29 shows a synthesis of intermediates and monomers of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Compositions useful for identification or quantification of an RNA or DNA or for modulating the activity of an RNA or DNA molecule in accordance with this invention generally comprise a sugar-modified oligonucleotide which is specifically hybridizable with a preselected nucleotide sequence of a single-stranded or double-stranded target DNA or RNA molecule. It is generally desirable to select a sequence of DNA or RNA which is involved in the production of a protein whose synthesis is ultimately to be modulated or inhibited in its entirety or to select a sequence of RNA or DNA whose presence, absence or specific amount is to be determined in a diagnostic test.

The oligonucleotides of the invention are conveniently synthesized using solid phase synthesis of known methodology, and is designed to be complementary to or specifically hybridizable with the preselected nucleotide sequence of the target RNA or DNA. Nucleic acid synthesizers are commercially available and their use is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art as being effective in generating any desired oligonucleotide of reasonable length.

The oligonucleotides of the invention also include those that comprise nucleosides connected by charged linkages, and whose sequences are divided into at least two subsequences. The first subsequence includes 2′-aminooxyalkyl substituted-nucleosides linked by a first type of linkage. The second subsequence includes nucleosides linked by a second type of linkage. In a preferred embodiment there exists a third subsequence whose nucleosides are selected from those selectable for the first subsequence, and the second subsequence is positioned between the first and the third subsequences. Such oligonucleotides of the invention are known as “chimeras,” or “chimeric” or “gapped” oligonucleotides. (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,065, issued Apr. 22, 1997, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.) Along these lines, GAPmer technology has been developed to incorporate 2′-modifications only at the terminal ends (“wings”) of oligonucleotides, leaving a phosphorothioate Gap in the middle for RNase H activation (Cook, P. D., Anti-Cancer Drug Des., 1991, 6, 585-607; Monia et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1993, 268, 14514-4522). In a recent report, an RNase H-independent antisense oligonucleotide having greater activity than its parent 2′-deoxy P=S was seen in targeting 5′-cap region of human ICAM-1 transcript in HUVEC cells with a series of uniformly 2′-O modified 20 mer oligonucleotides (Baker et al., J. Bio. Chem., 1997, 272,). The 2′-MOE/P=O oligomer demonstrated the greatest activity with a IC₅₀ of 2.1 nM (T_(m)=87.1° C.) and its P=S analog had an IC₅₀ of 6.5 nM (T_(m)=79.2° C.) Correlation of activity with binding affinity was not always seen as the 2′-F/P=S (T_(m)=87.9° C.) was less active than the 2′-MOE/P=S (T_(m)=79.2° C.) by four fold. The RNase H competent 2′-deoxy P=S parent oligonucleotide exhibited an IC₅₀=41 nM.

The design of aminoxy-modified oligonucleotides is focused on a number of factors that include: an electronegative atom at 2′-connecting site, which is beleived to be necessary for C₃′-endo conformation via O_(4′)—O_(2′) gauche effect (increase in binding affinity); gauche effect of the 2′-substituent —O—CH₂—CH₂—O— (increase in binding affinity/nuclease resistance); restricted motion aroung N—O bond, as in calichiamycin, which will lead to conformational constraints in side chain; lipophilicity of the modification which relates to protein binding/absorption; and fusogenic properties of aminooxy side chains.

One of the factors beleived to be related to the 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl (DMAOE) substituent is the potential fusogenic property or proton sponge hyphthesis. The nitrogen of the DMAOE is expected to have pka between 4.5 and 5.0. This means that this modification probably will not be protonated outside the cell or in cell membranes, but is likely to be protonated inside the endosomes where pH is around 5.0. Such a protonation should prevent the endosomal degradation of the oligonucleotide by lysosomal nucleases having an acidic optimal pH. Such a proton sponge should alter the osmolarity of the endosomal vesicle. The accumulation of protons brought in by the endosomal ATPase is coupled to an influx of chloride anions. Concentration of DMAOE oligonucleotide in the endosome should cause an increase in the ionic concentration within the endosome, resulting in osmatic swelling of the endosome. Moreover, DMAOE protonation should cause internal charge repulsion. Both of these effects may cause endosomal fusion to release the oligonucleotide to the cytoplasm. Once the oligonucleotide is in the cytoplasm, it should be easily transported to the nucleus.

In the context of this invention, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to a plurality of nucleotides joined together in a specific sequence from naturally and non-naturally occurring nucleobases. Preferred nucleobases of the invention are joined through a sugar moiety via phosphorus linkages, and include adenine, guanine, adenine, cytosine, uracil, thymine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl, 2-propyl and other alkyl adenines, 5-halo uracil, 5-halo cytosine, 6-aza uracil, 6-aza cytosine and 6-aza thymine, pseudo uracil, 4-thiouracil, 8-halo adenine, 8-aminoadenine, 8-thiol adenine, 8-thiolalkyl adenines, 8-hydroxyl adenine and other 8-substituted adenines, 8-halo guanines, 8-amino guanine, 8-thiol guanine, 8-thiolalkyl guanines, 8-hydroxyl guanine and other 8-substituted guanines, other aza and deaza uracils, other aza and deaza thymidines, other aza and deaza cytosines, other aza and deaza adenines, other aza and deaza guanines, 5-trifluoromethyl uracil and 5-trifluoro cytosine. The sugar moiety may be deoxyribose or ribose. The oligonucleotides of the invention may also comprise modified nucleobases or nucleobases having other modifications consistent with the spirit of this invention, and in particular modifications that increase their nuclease resistance in order to facilitate their use as therapeutic, diagnostic or research reagents.

The oligonucleotides of the present invention preferably are about 5 to about 50 bases in length. It is more preferred that the oligonucleotides of the invention have from 8 to about 40 bases, and even more preferred that from about 12 to about 25 bases be employed.

It is desired that the oligonucleotides of the invention be adapted to be specifically hybridizable with the nucleotide sequence of the target RNA or DNA selected for modulation. Oligonucleotides particularly suited for the practice of one or more embodiments of the present invention comprise 2′, 3′, or 5′-sugar modified oligonucleotides wherein the 2′, 3′ or 5′ position of the pentofuranosyl moieties of the nucleoside is modified to include an aminooxy moiety. For example, the oligonucleotides are modified to contain substitutions including but not limited incorporation of one or more nucleoside units modified as 2′, 3′ or 5′-O-aminooxyalkyl, 2′, 3′ or 5′-O-alkylaminooxyalkyl, 2′, 3′ or 5′-O-dialkylaminooxyethyl; or one or more nucleoside surrogate groups that include an alkyl group having one or two hydroxyl groups and an aminooxy group thereon; and protected, blocked or precursor forms of the above including phthalimido-N-oxyalkyl and formaloximylalkyl substitutions. The modified nucleosides, or surrogate nucleosides, can be positioned internally in the oligonucleotide via linking in the oligonucleotide backbone or they can be located on one or both of the 3′ and 5′ terminal ends of the oligonucleotide.

The nucleoside surrogate can include appropriate activated phosphorous atoms in P^(III) or P^(V) valance states for incorporation into an oligonucleotide. Such activated phosphorous atoms include phosphoramidite, H phosphonates and triesters as are known in the art. The nucleoside surrogates can also include appropriate hydroxyl blocking groups including but not limited to dimethoxytrityl, trimethoxytrityl, monomethoxytrityl and trityl blocking groups and other blocking groups as are known in the art.

In positioning one of the nucleoside surrogate groups of the invention in an oligonucleotide, an appropriate blocked and activated nucleoside surrogate is incorporated in the oligonucleotides in the standard manner for incorporation of a normal blocked and active standard nucleotide. As for instance, a nucleoside surrogate is selected that has its aminooxy moiety protected utilizing a phthalimido protecting group. One of the hydroxyl groups of the surrogate molecule is protected utilizing a dimethoxytrityl protecting group (a DMT protecting group) and the other hydroxyl group, the second hydroxyl group, is present as an cyanoethoxy diisopropyl phosphoramidite moiety. The surrogate unit is added to the growing oligonucleotide by treating with the normal activating agents, as is known is the art, to react the phosphoramidite moiety with the growing oligonucleotide. This is followed by removal of the DMT group in the standard manner, as is known in the art, and continuation of elongation of the oligonucleotide with normal nucleotide amidite units as is standard in the art. If the nucleoside surrogate unit is an intermediate units utilized during synthesis of the oligonucleotide, the surrogate nucleoside is positioned in the interior of the oligonucleotide. If the nucleoside surrogate unit is the last unit linked to the oligonucleotide, the nucleoside surrogate unit will form the 5′ most terminal moiety of the oligonucleotide.

Other nucleoside surrogate units can include linkage of the second hydroxyl group to a solid support, in the same manner as is utilized for linkage of conventional nucleosides to solid supports. Upon cleavage of the oligonucleotide from the solid support, the nucleoside surrogate unit will form the 3′ most terminal moiety of the oligonucleotide.

In each such oligonucleotide, upon cleavage of the oligonucleotide from its solid support, the phthalimido blocking group is removed to generate the aminooxy moiety on the oligonucleotide. The amino functionality of this aminooxy moiety can be further reacted with appropriate ligands via alkylation or acylation reactions to joint the ligand to the oligonucleotide as a conjugate group. Various conjugate groups, as are known in the art, can be conjugated to the oligonucleotide in this manner.

In the substituted nucleosides of the invention, each alkyl is a straight or branched chain of C₁ to C₁₀. For utilization in a 2′ 3′ or 5′-O-substituted nucleoside of the invention, a more preferred alkyl group is C₁-C₄ alkyl with C₂ alkyl being the most preferred.

For nucleoside surrogates of the invention, the overall length of the alkyl group will be selected to be less than 11 with the aminooxy group positioned between the ends of the alkyl group. In certain preferred nucleoside surrogates of the invention, it is preferred to position the aminooxy group with at least two methylene groups between it and either of the hydroxyl groups of the nucleoside surrogate. This can be accomplished by any combination of methylene units in either the alkyl backbone or on the aminooxy side chain. As so positioned the oxygen atom of the aminooxy moiety and the oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl groups do not form acetal type structures. In other embodiments the aminooxy moiety is positioned with only one methylene group between it and one or the other of the hydroxyl groups forming an acetal type structure.

In substituted nucleosides of the invention, a first preferred group of substituents include 2′-aminoxyalkyl substituents. A further preferred group of substituents include alkylated aminooxyalkyl include dialkylaminooxyalkyl and monoalkylaminoalkyl, e.g., dimethylaminooxyethyl and ethylaminooxyethyl. An additional preferred group of substituents include precursor or blocked forms of these 2′-O-aminooxyalkyl substituents include phthalimido and formaldehyde adducts, i.e., phthalimido-N-oxy and formaloximyl groups.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the individual nucleosides of the oligonucleotides of the invention are connected via phosphorus linkages. Preferred phosphorus linkages include phosphodiester, phosphorothioate and phosphorodithioate linkages. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, nuclease resistance is conferred on the oligonucleotides by utilizing phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.

In further embodiments of the invention, nucleosides can be joined via linkages that substitute for the internucleoside phosphate linkage e.g. substitute internucleoside linkages. Macromolecules of this type have been identified as oligonucleosides. The term “oligonucleoside” thus refers to a plurality of nucleoside units joined by non-phosphorus linkages.

Oligonucleotides and oligonucleosides can be joined to give a chimeric oligomeric compound. In addition to the naturally occurring phosphodiester linking group, phosphorus and non-phosphorus containing linking groups that can be used to prepare oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides and oligomeric chimeric compounds of the invention are well documented in the prior art and include without limitation the following:

phosphorus containing linkages

phosphorodithioate (—O—P(S)(S)—O—);

phosphorothioate (—O—P(S)(O)—O—);

phosphoramidate (—O—P(O)(NJ)—O—);

phosphonate (—O—P(J)(O)—O—);

phosphotriesters (—O—P(O J)(O)—O—);

phophosphoramidate (—O—P(O)(NJ)—S—);

thionoalkylphosphonate (—O—P(S)(J)—O—);

thionoalkylphosphotriester (—O—P(O)(OJ)—S—);

boranophosphate (—R⁵—P(O) (O)—J—);

non-phosphorus containing linkages

thiodiester (—O—C(O)—S—);

thionocarbamate (—O—C(O)(NJ)—S—);

siloxane (—O—Si(J)₂—O—);

carbamate (—O—C(O)—NH— and —NH—C(O)—O—)

sulfamate (—O—S(O)(O)—N— and —N—S(O)(O)—N—;

morpholino sulfamide (—O—S(O)(N(morpholino)—);

sulfonamide (—O—SO₂—NH—);

sulfide (—CH₂—S—CH₂—);

sulfonate (—O—SO₂—CH₂—);

N,N′-dimethylhydrazine (—CH₂—N(CH₃)—N(CH₃)—);

thioformacetal (—S—CH₂—O—);

formacetal (—O—CH₂—O—);

thioketal (—S—C (J)₂—O—); and

ketal (—O—C(J)₂—O—);

amine (—NH—CH₂—CH₂—);

hydroxylamine (—CH₂—N(J)—O—);

hydroxylimine (—CH═N—O—); and

hydrazinyl (—CH₂—N(H)—N(H)—).

“J” denotes a substituent group which is commonly hydrogen or an alkyl group or a more complicated group that varies from one type of linkage to another.

In addition to linking groups as described above that involve the modification or substitution of the —O—P—O— atoms of a naturally occurring linkage, included within the scope of the present invention are linking groups that include modification of the 5′-methylene group as well as one or more of the —O—P—O— atoms. Linkages of this type are well documented in the prior art and include without limitation the following:

amides (—CH₂—CH₂—N(H)—C(O)) and —CH₂—O—N═CH—; and

alkylphosphorus (—C(J)₂—P(═O) (OJ)—C(J)₂—C(J)₂—).

wherein J is as described above.

Synthetic schemes for the synthesis of the substitute internucleoside linkages described above are disclosed in: WO 91/08213; WO 90/15065; WO 91/15500; WO 92/20822; WO 92/20823; WO 91/15500; WO 89/12060; EP 216860; U.S. Ser. No. 92/04,294; U.S. Ser. No. 90/03,138; U.S. Ser. No. 91/06,855; U.S. Ser. No. 92/03,385; U.S. Ser. No. 91/03,680; U.S. Pat. Nos. 07/990,848; 07,892,902; 07/806,710; 07/763,130; 07/690,786; 5,466,677; 5,034,506; 5,124,047; 5,278,302; 5,321,131; 5,519,126; 4,469,863; 5,455,233; 5,214,134; 5,470,967; 5,434,257; Stirchak, E. P., et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 1989, 17, 6129-6141; Hewitt, J. M., et al., 1992, 11, 1661-1666; Sood, A., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1990, 112, 9000-9001; Vaseur, J. J. et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1992, 114, 4006-4007; Musichi, B., et al., J. Org. Chem., 1990, 55, 4231-4233; Reynolds, R. C., et al., J. Org. Chem., 1992, 57, 2983-2985; Mertes, M. P., et al., J. Med. Chem., 1969, 12, 154-157; Mungall, W. S., et al., J. Org. Chem., 1977, 42, 703-706; Stirchak, E. P., et al., J. Org. Chem., 1987, 52, 4202-4206; Coull, J. M., et al., Tet. Lett., 1987, 28, 745; and Wang, H., et al., Tet. Lett., 1991, 32, 7385-7388.

Other modifications can be made to the sugar, to the base, or to the phosphate group of the nucleotide. Representative modifications are disclosed in International Publication Numbers WO 91/10671, published Jul. 25, 1991, WO 92/02258, published Feb. 20, 1992, WO 92/03568, published Mar. 5, 1992, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,138,045, 5,218,105, 5,223,618 5,359,044, 5,378,825, 5,386,023, 5,457,191, 5,459,255, 5,489,677, 5,506,351, 5,541,307, 5,543,507, 5,571,902, 5,578,718, 5,587,361, 5,587,469, all assigned to the assignee of this application. The disclosures of each of the above referenced U.S. patents are herein incorporated by reference.

The attachment of conjugate groups to oligonucleotides and analogs thereof is well documented in the prior art. The compounds of the invention can include conjugate groups covalently bound to functional groups such as primary or secondary hydroxyl groups. Conjugate groups of the invention include intercalators, reporter molecules, polyamines, polyamides, polyethylene glycols, polyethers, groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties of oligomers, and groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of oligomers. Typical conjugates groups include cholesterols, phospholipids, biotin, phenazine, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes. Groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve oligomer uptake, enhance oligomer resistance to degradation, and/or strengthen sequence-specific hybridization with RNA. Groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve oligomer uptake, distribution, metabolism or excretion. Representative conjugate groups are disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/US92/09196, filed Oct. 23, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,718, issued Jul. 1, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,105. Each of the foregoing is commonly assigned with this application. The entire disclosure of each U.S. patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Other groups for modifying antisense properties include RNA cleaving complexes, pyrenes, metal chelators, porphyrins, alkylators, hybrid intercalator/ligands and photo-crosslinking agents. RNA cleavers include o-phenanthroline/Cu complexes and Ru(bipyridine)₃ ²⁺ complexes. The Ru(bpy)₃ ²⁺ complexes interact with nucleic acids and cleave nucleic acids photochemically. Metal chelators are include EDTA, DTPA, and o-phenanthroline. Alkylators include compounds such as iodoacetamide. Porphyrins include porphine, its substituted forms, and metal complexes. Pyrenes include pyrene and other pyrene-based carboxylic acids that could be conjugated using the similar protocols.

Hybrid intercalator/ligands include the photonuclease/intercalator ligand 6-[[[9-[[6-(4-nitro-benzamido)hexyl]amino]acridin-4-yl]carbonyl]amino]hexanoylpentafluorophenyl ester. This compound has two noteworthy features: an acridine moiety that is an intercalator and a p-nitro benzamido group that is a photonuclease.

Photo-crosslinking agents include aryl azides such as, for example, N-hydroxysucciniimidyl-4-azidobenzoate (HSAB) and N-succinimidyl-6(-4′-azido-2′-nitrophenyl-amino)hexanoate (SANPAH). Aryl azides conjugated to oligonucleotides effect crosslinking with nucleic acids and proteins upon irradiation, They also crosslink with carrier proteins (such as KLH or BSA), raising antibody against the oligonucleotides.

Vitamins according to the invention generally can be classified as water soluble or lipid soluble. Water soluble vitamins include thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid or niacin, the vitamin B₆ pyridoxal group, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, the B₁₂ cobamide coenzymes, inositol, choline and ascorbic acid. Lipid soluble vitamins include the vitamin A family, vitamin D, the vitamin E tocopherol family and vitamin K (and phytols). The vitamin A family, including retinoic acid and retinol, are absorbed and transported to target tissues through their interaction with specific proteins such as cytosol retinol-binding protein type II (CRBP-II), Retinol-binding protein (RBP), and cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP). These proteins, which have been found in various parts of the human body, have molecular weights of approximately 15 kD. They have specific interactions with compounds of vitamin-A family, especially, retinoic acid and retinol.

In the context of this invention, “hybridization” shall mean hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleotides. For example, adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases which pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds. “Complementary,” as used herein, also refers to sequence complementarity between two nucleotides. For example, if a nucleotide at a certain position of an oligonucleotide is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleotide at the same position of a DNA or RNA molecule, then the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are considered to be complementary to each other at that position. The oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of corresponding positions in each molecule are occupied by nucleotides which can hydrogen bond with each other. Thus, “specifically hybridizable” and “complementary” are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of complementarity such that stable and specific binding occurs between the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA target. It is understood that an oligonucleotide need not be 100% complementary to its target DNA sequence to be specifically hybridizable. An oligonucleotide is specifically hybridizable when binding of the oligonucleotide to the target DNA or RNA molecule interferes with the normal function of the target DNA or RNA, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the oligonucleotide to non-target sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e. under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, or in the case of in vitro assays, under conditions in which the assays are performed.

Cleavage of oligonucleotides by nucleolytic enzymes require the formation of an enzyme-substrate complex, or in particular a nuclease-oligonucleotide complex. The nuclease enzymes will generally require specific binding sites located on the oligonucleotides for appropriate attachment. If the oligonucleotide binding sites are removed or blocked, such that nucleases are unable to attach to the oligonucleotides, the oligonucleotides will be nuclease resistant. In the case of restriction endonucleases that cleave sequence-specific palindromic double-stranded DNA, certain binding sites such as the ring nitrogen in the 3- and 7-positions have been identified as required binding sites. Removal of one or more of these sites or sterically blocking approach of the nuclease to these particular positions within the oligonucleotide has provided various levels of resistance to specific nucleases.

This invention provides oligonucleotides possessing superior hybridization properties. Structure-activity relationship studies have revealed that an increase in binding (T_(m)) of certain 2′-sugar modified oligonucleotides to an RNA target (complement) correlates with an increased “A” type conformation of the heteroduplex. Furthermore, absolute fidelity of the modified oligonucleotides is maintained. Increased binding of 2′-sugar modified sequence-specific oligonucleotides of the invention provides superior potency and specificity compared to phosphorus-modified oligonucleotides such as methyl phosphonates, phosphate triesters and phosphoramidates as known in the literature.

The only structural difference between DNA and RNA duplexes is a hydrogen atom at the 2′-position of the sugar moiety of a DNA molecule versus a hydroxyl group at the 2′-position of the sugar moiety of an RNA molecule (assuming that the presence or absence of a methyl group in the uracil ring system has no effect). However, gross conformational differences exist between DNA and RNA duplexes.

It is known from X-ray diffraction analysis of nucleic acid fibers (Arnott and Hukins, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 1970, 47, 1504) and analysis of crystals of double-stranded nucleic acids that DNA takes a “B” form structure and RNA takes the more rigid “A” form structure. The difference between the sugar puckering (C2′ endo for “B” form DNA and C3′ endo for “A” form RNA) of the nucleosides of DNA and RNA is the major conformational difference between double-stranded nucleic acids.

The primary contributor to the conformation of the pentofuranosyl moiety is the nature of the substituent at the 2′-position. Thus, the population of the C3′-endo form increases with respect to the C2′-endo form as the electronegativity of the 2′-substituent increases. For example, among 2′-deoxy-2′-haloadenosines, the 2′-fluoro derivative exhibits the largest population (65%) of the C3′-endo form, and the 2′-iodo exhibits the lowest population (7%). Those of adenosine (2′-OH) and deoxyadenosine (2′-H) are 36% and 19%, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of the 2′-fluoro group of adenosine dimers (2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroadenosine -2′-deoxy-2′-fluoroadenosine) is further correlated to the stabilization of the stacked conformation. Research indicates that dinucleoside phosphates have a stacked conformation with a geometry similar to that of A—A but with a greater extent of base-base overlapping than A—A. It is assumed that the highly polar nature of the C2′-F bond and the extreme preference for C3′-endo puckering may stabilize the stacked conformation in an “A” structure.

Data from UV hypochromicity, circular dichromism, and ¹H NMR also indicate that the degree of stacking decreases as the electronegativity of the halo substituent decreases. Furthermore, steric bulk at the 2′-position of the sugar moiety is better accommodated in an “A” form duplex than a “B” form duplex.

Thus, a 2′-substituent on the 3′-nucleotidyl unit of a dinucleoside monophosphate is thought to exert a number of effects on the stacking conformation: steric repulsion, furanose puckering preference, electrostatic repulsion, hydrophobic attraction, and hydrogen bonding capabilities. These substituent effects are thought to be determined by the molecular size, electronegativity, and hydrophobicity of the substituent.

Studies with a 2′-OMe modification of 2′-deoxy guanosine, cytidine, and uridine dinucleoside phosphates exhibit enhanced stacking effects with respect to the corresponding unmethylated species (2′-OH). In this case, the hydrophobic attractive forces of the methyl group tend to overcome the destablilizing effects of its steric bulk.

Melting temperatures (complementary binding) are increased with the 2′-substituted adenosine diphosphates. It is not clear whether the 3′-endo preference of the conformation or the presence of the substituent is responsible for the increased binding. However, greater overlap of adjacent bases (stacking) can be achieved with the 3′-endo conformation.

While we do not wish to be bound by theory, it is believed that the aminooxyalkyl substituents of the present invention also results in the sugar pucker of the nucleoside being C3′-endo puckering.

Compounds of the invention can be utilized as diagnostics, therapeutics and as research reagents and kits. They can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by adding an effective amount of an oligonucleotide of the invention to a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. They further can be used for treating organisms having a disease characterized by the undesired production of a protein. The organism can be contacted with an oligonucleotide of the invention having a sequence that is capable of specifically hybridizing with a strand of target nucleic acid that codes for the undesirable protein.

The formulation of therapeutic compositions and their subsequent administration is believed to be within the skill of those in the art. In general, for therapeutics, a patient in need of such therapy is administered an oligomer in accordance with the invention, commonly in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in doses ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the disease state being treated. Further, the treatment may be a single dose or may be a regimen that may last for a period of time which will vary depending upon the nature of the particular disease, its severity and the overall condition of the patient, and may extend from once daily to once every 20 years. Following treatment, the patient is monitored for changes in his/her condition and for alleviation of the symptoms of the disease state. The dosage of the oligomer may either be increased in the event the patient does not respond significantly to current dosage levels, or the dose may be decreased if an alleviation of the symptoms of the disease state is observed, or if the disease state has been ablated.

In some cases it may be more effective to treat a patient with an oligomer of the invention in conjunction with other traditional therapeutic modalities. For example, a patient being treated for AIDS may be administered an oligomer in conjunction with AZT, or a patient with atherosclerosis may be treated with an oligomer of the invention following angioplasty to prevent reocclusion of the treated arteries.

Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the disease condition to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of disease state is achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages may vary depending on the relative potency of individual oligomers, and can generally be estimated based on EC₅₀s found to be effective in in vitro and in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even once every 2 to several years.

Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state, wherein the oligomer is administered in maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily, to once every several years.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic, vaginal, rectal, intranasal, transdermal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous drip, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection, or intrathecal or intraventricular administration.

Formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful.

Compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets or tablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable.

Compositions for intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives.

Formulations for parenteral administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives.

The present invention can be practiced in a variety of organisms ranging from unicellular prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to multicellular eukaryotic organisms. Any organism that utilizes DNA-RNA transcription or RNA-protein translation as a fundamental part of its hereditary, metabolic or cellular machinery is susceptible to such therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment. Seemingly diverse organisms such as bacteria, yeast, protozoa, algae, plant and higher animal forms, including warm-blooded animals, can be treated in this manner. Further, since each of the cells of multicellular eukaryotes also includes both DNA-RNA transcription and RNA-protein translation as an integral part of their cellular activity, such therapeutics and/or diagnostics can also be practiced on such cellular populations. Furthermore, many of the organelles, e.g. mitochondria and chloroplasts, of eukaryotic cells also include transcription and translation mechanisms. As such, single cells, cellular populations or organelles also can be included within the definition of organisms that are capable of being treated with the therapeutic or diagnostic oligonucleotides of the invention. As used herein, therapeutics is meant to include both the eradication of a disease state, killing of an organism, e.g. bacterial, protozoan or other infection, or control of aberrant or undesirable cellular growth or expression.

2′-Substituted oligonucleotides were synthesized by standard solid phase nucleic acid synthesis using an automated synthesizer such as Model 380B (Perkin-Elmer/Applied Biosystems) or MilliGen/Biosearch 7500 or 8800. Triester, phosphoramidite, or hydrogen phosphonate coupling chemistries (Oligonucleotides: Antisense Inhibitors of Gene Expression. M. Caruthers, p. 7, J. S. Cohen (Ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 1989) are used with these synthesizers to provide the desired oligonucleotides. The Beaucage reagent (J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1990, 112, 1253) or elemental sulfur (Beaucage et al., Tet. Lett., 1981, 22, 1859) is used with phosphoramidite or hydrogen phosphonate chemistries to provide 2′-substituted phosphorothioate oligonucleotides.

The requisite 2′-substituted nucleosides (A, G, C, T(U), and other modified nucleobases) are prepared, utilizing procedures as described below.

During the synthesis of nucleosides and oligonucleotides of the invention, chemical protecting groups can be used to facilitate conversion of one or more functional groups while other functional groups are rendered inactive. A number of chemical functional groups can be introduced into compounds of the invention in a blocked form and subsequently deblocked to form a final, desired compound. In general, a blocking group renders a chemical functionality of a molecule inert to specific reaction conditions and can later be removed from such functionality in a molecule without substantially damaging the remainder of the molecule (Green and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2d edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1991). For example, amino groups can be blocked as phthalimido groups, as 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMOC) groups, and with triphenylmethylsulfenyl, t-BOC, benzoyl or benzyl groups. Carboxyl groups can be protected as acetyl groups. Representative hydroxyl protecting groups are described by Beaucage et al., Tetrahedron 1992, 48, 2223. Preferred hydroxyl protecting groups are acid-labile, such as the trityl, monomethoxytrityl, dimethoxytrityl, trimethoxytrityl, 9-phenylxanthine-9-yl (Pixyl) and 9-(p-methoxyphenyl)xanthine-9-yl (MOX) groups. Chemical functional groups can also be “blocked” by including them in a precursor form. Thus, an azido group can be used considered as a “blocked” form of an amine since the azido group is easily converted to the amine. Representative protecting groups utilized in oligonucleotide synthesis are discussed in Agrawal, et al., Protocols for Oligonucleotide Conjugates, Eds, Humana Press; New Jersey, 1994; Vol. 26 pp. 1-72.

Among other use, the oligonucleotides of the invention are useful in a ras-luciferase fusion system using ras-luciferase transactivation. As described in International Publication Number WO 92/22651, published Dec. 23, 1992 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,582,972 and 5,582,986, commonly assigned with this application, the entire contents of the U.S. patent are herein incorporated by reference, the ras oncogenes are members of a gene family that encode related proteins that are localized to the inner face of the plasma membrane. Ras proteins have been shown to be highly conserved at the amino acid level, to bind GTP with high affinity and specificity, and to possess GTPase activity. Although the cellular function of ras gene products is unknown, their biochemical properties, along with their significant sequence homology with a class of signal-transducing proteins known as GTP binding proteins, or G proteins, suggest that ras gene products play a fundamental role in basic cellular regulatory functions relating to the transduction of extracellular signals across plasma membranes.

Three ras genes, designated H-ras, K-ras, and N-ras, have been identified in the mammalian genome. Mammalian ras genes acquire transformation-inducing properties by single point mutations within their coding sequences. Mutations in naturally occurring ras oncogenes have been localized to codons 12, 13, and 61. The most commonly detected activating ras mutation found in human tumors is in codon-12 of the H-ras gene in which a base change from GGC to GTC results in a glycine-to-valine substitution in the GTPase regulatory domain of the ras protein product. This single amino acid change is thought to abolish normal control of ras protein function, thereby converting a normally regulated cell protein to one that is continuously active. It is believed that such deregulation of normal ras protein function is responsible for the transformation from normal to malignant growth.

In addition to modulation of the ras gene, the oligonucleotides of the present invention that are specifically hybridizable with other nucleic acids can be used to modulate the expression of such other nucleic acids. Examples include the raf gene, a naturally present cellular gene which occasionally converts to an activated form that has been implicated in abnormal cell proliferation and tumor formation. Other examples include those relating to protein kinase C (PKC) that have been found to modulate the expression of PKC, those related to cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM, those related to multi-drug resistance associated protein, and viral genomic nucleic acids include HIV, herpesviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, papillomavirus, hepatitis C virus and influenza virus (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,166,195, 5,242,906, 5,248,670, 5,442,049, 5,457,189, 5,510,476, 5,510,239, 5,514,577, 5,514,786, 5,514,788, 5,523,389, 5,530,389, 5,563,255, 5,576,302, 5,576,902, 5,576,208, 5,580,767, 5,582,972, 5,582,986, 5,591,720, 5,591,600 and 5,591,623, commonly assigned with this application, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference).

The following examples illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the same.

EXAMPLES General

All reagents and solvents were purchased from Aldrich Chemicals unless otherwise noted. NMR spectra were obtained with the following instruments: ¹H-NMR: Varian Gemini-200 (199.975 MHZ) or Varian Unity 400 (399.952 MHZ). ¹³C-NMR: Varian Gemini-200 (50.289 MHZ). ³¹P-NMR: Varian Gemini-200 (79.990 MHZ) or Varian Unity 400 (159.981 MHZ). NMR spectra were recorded using either deuteriochloroform or dimethylsulfoxide-d₆ as solvent (tetramethylsilane or phosphoric acid internal standard). The following abbreviations were used to designate the multiplicity of individual signals: s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, m=multiplet, dd=doublet of doublets, br s=broad singlet. Mass spectra were acquired on a VG 70-SEQ instrument (VG Analytical (Fisons)), using fast atom bombardment ionization (7 kV Xe atoms). Solvent ratios for column chromatography are given as volume/volume. Evaporations of solvents were performed in vacuo (60 torr) at 35° C. unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 Methyl-2-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-3,5-bis-O-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-α-D-ribofuranoside (3, FIG. 1)

Compound 2 (FIG. 1) (multigram quantities of 2 were prepared from 1 via the literature procedure, Martin, P. Helv. Chem. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504) was dissolved in DMF (86 mL) with cooling to 5° C., and NaH (60% dispersion, 1.38 g, 34.38 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 5° C. for 5 minutes then warmed to ambient temperature and stirred for 20 minutes after which time the reaction mixture was cooled to 5° C. and ethylbromoacetate (3.81 mL, 34.4 mmol) was added dropwise resulting in the evolution of gas. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for 3 hours after which time the mixture was cooled to 5° C. and the pH was adjusted to 3 with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give a syrup which was dissolved in EtOAc (200 mL), washed with water and then brine. The organic layer was separated, dried with MgSO₄, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography using hexanes-EtOAc, 60:40, to give the title compound (3) as an oil (15.52 g, 95%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.58-7.18 (m, 6H), 5.05 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 4.79 (q, J_(AB)=13.7 Hz, 2H), 4.57 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 2H), 4.31-4.16 (m, 5H), 4.03 (m, 2H), 3.62 (d, 2H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 1.28 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ_(—)170.0, 134.2, 133.6, 133.5, 130.3, 129.8, 129.1, 128.8, 127.1, 102.1, 81.4, 78.9, 76.6, 70.6, 70.0, 69.3, 67.6, 61.0, 55.6, 14.2. Anal. Calcd for C₂₄H₂₆Cl₄O₇.H₂O: C, 49.17; H, 4.81. Found: C, 49.33; H, 4.31.

Example 2 1-[2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-3′,5′-bis-O-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine (4, FIG. 1)

Thymine (6.90 g, 54.6 mmol) was suspended in anhydrous dichloroethane (136 mL) and bis-trimethylsilylacetamide (40.5 mL, 164 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux temperature for 10 minutes to give dissolution. After cooling to ambient temperature, the solution was added to compound 3 with stirring. Trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (6.86 mL, 35.5 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 6 hours. The mixture was cooled to 5° C. and the pH was adjusted to 7 by the slow addition of saturated NaHCO₃. The mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×150 mL) and the organic extracts were combined, washed with brine, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and purified by flash chromatography using hexanes-EtOAc, 45:55, to provide the title compound (4) as an oil (7.92 g, 44%). (The α-anomer was contained in a later fraction). ¹H NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl₃): δ 8.25 (s, 1H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.46-7.21 (m, 6H), 5.94 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (q, J_(AB)=12.4 Hz, 2H), 4.70-4.18 (m, 9H), 4.02 (d, 1H), 3.75 (d, 1H), 1.58 (s, 3H), 1.26 (t, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 170.1, 164.3, 150.3, 135.5, 134.5, 134.2, 134.1, 133.8, 133.5, 130.7, 130.2, 129.4, 129.0, 127.1, 110.3, 88.4, 80.8, 80.5, 74.7, 70.1, 68.9, 68.0, 66.2, 60.9, 14.1, 12.1. Anal. Calcd for C₂₈H₂₈Cl₄N₂O₈.H₂O: C, 49.43; H, 4.44; N, 4.12. Found: C, 49.25; H, 4.10; N, 3.94.

Example 3 1-[2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3′,5′-bis-O-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine (5, FIG. 1)

Compound 4 (9.92 g, 15.0 mmol) was dissolved in hot EtOH (150 mL) and the solution was cooled to ambient temperature in a water bath. To the solution was cautiously added NaBH₄ (1.13 g, 30.0 mmol) over 10 minutes. After 3 hours additional NaBH₄ (282 mg, 7.45 mmol) was added the mixture was stirred for 1 hour and left to stand for 8 hours. The pH was adjusted to 4 by addition of Saturated NH₄Cl (25 mL) to give a gum. The solvent was decanted and evaporated in vacuo to afford a white solid which was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (250 mL). The gum was dissolved with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and this solution was gently extracted with the CH₂Cl₂ containing the product. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted again with CH₂Cl₂ (2×50 mL). After combining the organic layers, the solvent was dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated in vacuo to afford a white foam. The foam was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and purified by flash chromatography using hexanes-EtOAc, 20:80, to give the title compound (5) as a white foam (8.39 g, 90%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 10.18 (s, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.39-7.20 (m, 6H), 5.96 (s, 1H), 4.76-3.62 (m, 14H), 1.58 (s, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 164.0, 150.8, 135.2, 134.6, 134.2, 134.1, 133.5, 133.4, 130.2, 129.4, 129.0, 127.1, 110.6, 88.6, 81.0, 80.7, 75.2, 72.0, 70.1, 68.9, 68.1, 61.9, 12.1.

Example 4 1-[2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-hydroxyethyl)-3′,5′-bis-O-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine (6, FIG. 1)

Compound 5 was dried by coevaporation with anhydrous acetonitrile followed by further drying in vacuo (0.1 torr) at ambient temperature for 12 h. The dried material (8.39 g, 13.53 mmol) was dissolved in freshly distilled THF (97 mL), PPh₃ (3.90 g, 14.9 mmol), and N-hydroxyphthalimide (2.43 g, 14.9 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was cooled to −78° C., and diethyl azodicarboxylate (2.34 mL, 14.9 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was warmed to ambient temperature and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give a foam. The foam was dissolved in EtOAc (100 mL) and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (3×30 mL). The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent evaporated to give a foam. The foam was purified by flash chromatography using CH₂Cl₂-acetone, 85:15, to give the title compound (6) as a white foam (3.22 g, 31%). A second chromatographic purification provided additional 6 as a white foam (5.18 g, 50%). ¹H NMR (400 MHZ, CDCl₃): δ 9.0 (s, 1H), 7.8 (m, 11H), 5.95 (s, 1H), 4.84-3.70 (m, 13H), 1.60 (s, 3H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHZ, CDCl₃): δ 163.7, 163.5, 150.2, 138.0, 135.6, 134.5, 134.1, 134.0, 133.9, 133.7, 133.6, 130.6. 130.4, 130.1, 129.8, 129.4, 129.1, 129.0, 128.8, 127.2, 123.5, 110.4, 88.2, 81.0, 80.9, 77.6, 75.4, 70.2, 68.9, 68.4, 68.1., 12.1. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 766 (M+H). LRMS (FAB−) m/z: 764 (M−H).

Example 5 1-[2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-3′,5′-bis-O-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine (7, FIG. 2)

Compound 6 (1.79 g, 2.34 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (12 mL), the solution was cooled to −78° C. and 1.0 M boron trichloride (5.15 mL, 5.15 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ was added and the reaction mixture was kept at 5° C. for 1.5 hours. Additional 1.0 M boron trichloride (5.15 mL, 5.15 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ was added and the solution was stirred at 5° for an additional 1.5 hours. The pH was adjusted to 7 with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (30 mL). After dilution with CH₂Cl₂ (100 mL), the organic layer was separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with CHCl₃ (5×25 mL) and then EtOAc (3×25 mL). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na₂SO₄, and evaporated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography using CH₂Cl₂-acetone, 45:55, to provide the title compound (7) as a white foam (619 mg, 59%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.8 (br, 1H), 7.88-7.75 (m, 4H), 7.50 (s, 1H), 5.70 (d, J=4 Hz, 1H), 4.45-3.75 (m, 11H), 2.95 (br, 1H), 1.90 (s, 3H). ¹³C NMR (100 MHZ, CDCl₃): δ 164.3, 163.7, 150.6, 137.4, 134.7, 128.5, 123.6, 110.5, 89.7, 84.7, 81.9, 77.6, 68.5, 68.4, 61.0, 12.3. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 448 (M+H). LRMS (FAB−) m/z: 446 (M−H).

Example 6 1-[2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine (8, FIG. 2)

Compound 7 was dried by coevaporation with anhydrous acetonitrile followed by further drying in vacuo (0.1 torr) at ambient temperature for 12 hours. The dried material (619 mg, 1.38 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (7 mL) and 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (514 mg, 1.52 mmol) was added. After 2 hours additional 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (257 mg, 0.76 mmol) was added. The solution was stirred for 2 hours and a final addition of 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (257 mg, 0.76 mmol) was made. After 12 h MeOH (10 mL) was added to the reaction mixture, it was stirred for 10 min and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil which was coevaporated with toluene. The oil was purified by flash chromatography by pre-treating the silica with CH₂Cl₂-acetone-pyridine, 80:20:1, then using CH₂Cl₂-acetone, 80:20 to afford the title compound (8) as a yellow solid (704 mg, 68%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.8-6.8 (m, 18H), 5.94 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 4.57-4.12 (m, 7H), 3.78 (s, 6H), 3.53 (m, 2H), 1.34 (s, 3H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 164.3, 163.8, 158.6, 150.6, 144.4, 135.5, 135.4, 134.7, 130.1, 128.7, 128.2, 128.0, 127.1, 123.7, 113.3, 110.9, 87.9, 86.7, 83.2, 68.7, 68.5, 61.7, 55.2, 11.9. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 750 (M+H). LRMS (FAB−) m/z: 748 (M−H). Anal. Calcd for C₄₁H₃₉N₃O₁₁.H₂O: C, 65.14; H, 5.38; N, 5.47. Found: C, 63.85; H, 5.16; N, 5.14. Anal. Calcd for C₄₁H₃₉N₃O₁₁: C, 65.68; H, 5.24; N, 5.60. Found: C, 65.23; H, 5.27; N, 5.45.

Example 7 1-[2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] (9, FIG. 2)

Compound 8 was dried by coevaporation with anhydrous pyridine (2×20 mL), then further dried in vacuo (0.1 torr) at ambient temperature for 12 hours. The dried material (704 mg, 0.939 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (9 mL), diisopropylamine tetrazolide (80.4 mg, 0.47 mmol) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidite (0.33 mL, 1.03 mmol) with stirring. After 2 hours at ambient temperature additional 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidite (0.33 mL, 1.03 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred for 20 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil which was purified by flash chromatography by pre-treating the silica with CH₂Cl₂-acetone-pyridine, 85:15:1, then using CH₂Cl₂-acetone, 85:15 to afford the title compound (9) as an oil (704 mg, 68%). The product was coevaporated with anhydrous acetonitrile (2×30 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (2×30 mL) to afford a yellow foam. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.6 (br, 1H), 7.78-6.82 (m, 18H), 6.06 (m, 1H), 4.6-3.3 (m, 14H), 3.75 (s, 6H), 2.66 (m, 1H), 2.37 (m, 1H), 1.36 (s, 3H), 1.16 (m, 12H). ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃): δ 150.5, 151.2. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 950 (M+H). LRMS (FAB−) m/z: 948 (M−H). Anal. Calcd for C₅₀H₅₆N₅O₁₂P.H₂O: C, 62.04; H, 6.04; N, 7.24. Found: C, 62.20; H, 5.94; N, 7.34.

Example 8 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-3′,5′-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)adenosine (11, FIG. 3)

Adenosine (30.00 g, 112 mmol) was dissolved in hot anhydrous DMF (600 mL) and the solution was cooled to ambient temperature. NaH (60% dispersion oil, 4.94 g, 124 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred with a mechanical stirrer for 1 hour. The resulting suspension was cooled to 5° C. and ethylbromoacetate (13.7 mL, 124 mmol) was added. The resulting solution was stirred for 12 hours at ambient temperature and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give a residue which contained 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)adenosine (10) and the putative 3′-O-isomer. This material was coevaporated with pyridine to give a foam which was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (400 mL). 1,3-Dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane (39.52 mL, 124 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred for 24 hours at ambient temperature. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil which was dissolved in EtOAc (500 mL) and washed with brine three times. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to afford an oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography using hexanes-EtOAc, 80:20, to give the title compound (11) as an oil (14.63 g, 22%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.26 (s, 1H), 8.07 (s, 1H), 6.20 (br s, 2H), 4.91 (dd, J_(1′,2′)=4.7 Hz, J_(2′,3′)=9.3 Hz, 1H), 4.64-3.97 (m, 8H), 1.22 (t, 3H), 1.05 (m, 28 H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 170.0, 155.5, 152.8, 149.0 139.3, 120.2, 88.6, 82.2, 81.1, 69.9, 68.3, 60.8, 60.0, 17.2, 14.0, 12.7. Anal. Calcd for C₂₆H₄₅N₅O₇Si₂: C, 52.41; H, 7.61; N, 11.75, Si, 9.43. Found: C, 52.23; H, 7.34; N, 11.69.

Example 9 2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3′,5′-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)adenosine (12, FIG. 3)

Compound 11 (4.175 g, 7.01 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (95%, 40 mL) and the resulting solution was cooled to 5° C. NaBH₄ (60% oil dispersion, 0.64 g, 16.8 mmol) was added, and the mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature. After stirring for 12 hours CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) was added and the solution was washed with brine twice and the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography using EtOAc-MeOH, 95:5, to afford the title compound (12) as an oil (0.368 g, 9.5%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.14 (s, 1H), 6.18 (br s, 2H), 6.07 (s, 1H), 4.62 (dd, J_(1′,2′)=4.6 Hz, J_(2′,3′)=9.4 Hz, 1H), 4.3-3.5 (m, 8H), 1.03 (m, 28H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 155.5, 153.0, 148.7, 138.3, 120.3, 89.2, 82.7, 81.4, 73.5, 69.3, 61.8, 59.7, 17.2, 17.0, 16.8, 13.4, 12.9, 12.8, 12.6. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 554 (M+H), 686 (M+Cs+).

Example 10 2′-O-(2-Phthalimido-N-hydroxyethyl)-3′,5′-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)adenosine (13, FIG. 4)

To a solution of compound 12 (0.330 g, 0.596 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) was added triphenylphosphine (0.180 g, 0.685 mmol) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (0.112 g, 0.685 mmol). To this mixture diethyl azodicarboxylate (0.11 mL, 685 mmol) was added dropwise at 5° C. After stirring for 3 hours at ambient temperature, the solvent was evaporated to give an oil. The oil was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ (x3) and brine. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography using EtOAc-MeOH, 95:5, to give the title compound (13) as an oil (0.285 g, 68%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.8-7.45 (m, 4H), 6.00 (s, 1H), 5.88 (br s, 2H), 4.92 (dd, J_(1′,2′)=4.6, J_(2′,3′)=9.0 Hz), 4.5-3.9 (m, 8H), 1.0 (m, 28H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 163, 155.3, 152.8, 149, 139.6, 134.3, 123.4, 120, 88.7, 82.7, 81.1, 77.4, 70.2, 69.5, 60.1, 17.4, 17.2, 17.0, 16.9, 13.3, 12.9, 12.7, 12.6. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 699 (M+H).

Example 11 N6-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-hydroxyethyl)-3′,5′-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)adenosine (14, FIG. 4)

To a solution of compound 13 (1.09 g, 1.97 mmol) in anhydrous pyridine (19 mL) cooled to 5° C. was added benzoyl chloride (1.14 mL, 9.8 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 12 hours. After cooling the mixture to 5° C., cold water (3.8 mL) was added, the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes, and conc NH₄OH (3.8 mL) was added. After stirring for 30 minutes at 5° C. the solvent was evaporated to give a residue which was dissolved in water and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ three times. The organic extracts were combined, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated in vacuo to afford an oil. The oil was purified by flash chromatography using hexanes-EtOAc, 50:50, then 20:80, to give the title compound (14) as an oil (0.618 g, 48%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 9.2 (br s, 1H), 8.69 (s, 1H), 8.27 (s, 1H), 8.0-7.4 (m, 9H), 6.12 (s, 1H), 4.95 (dd, J_(1′,2′)=4.7 Hz, J_(2′,3′)=9.1 Hz, 1H), 4.5-4.0 (m, 8H), 1.06 (m, 28H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 164.4, 163.3, 152.5, 150.8, 149.3, 142.1, 134.4, 133.7, 132.6, 132.1, 128.7, 128.2, 127.7, 123.4, 88.9, 82.7, 81.3, 77.5, 70.1, 69.6, 60.0, 17.2, 17.0, 16.8, 13.3, 12.8, 12.7, 12.6. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 803 (M+H).

Example 12 N⁶-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-hydroxyethyl)adenosine (15, FIG. 4)

To a solution of compound 14 (0.680 g, 0.847 mmol) in THF (20 mL) in a polyethylene reaction vessel at 5° C. was added HF-pyridine (70%, 0.48 mL, 16.9 mmol) and the resulting mixture was warmed to ambient temperature. After stirring for 12 hours the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, EtOAc was added, the solution was washed with water, and the aqueous layer was separated and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give the title compound (15) as a solid (408 mg, 86%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 11.2 (br s, 1H), 8.71 (s, 1H), 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.0-7.5 (m, 9H), 6.11 (d, J 1′,2′=5.7 Hz), 5.23 (d, 1H), 5.14 (t, 1H), 4.66 (t, 1H), 4.35 (m, 3H), 3.90 (m, 3H), 3.6 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 163.5, 152.0, 143.2, 135.0, 132.6, 131.9, 131.7, 129.3, 128.7, 128.5, 123.4, 86.3, 85.8, 81.3, 76.8, 69.0, 68.7, 61.3. LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 561 (M+H, 583 (M+Na+).

Example 13 N⁶-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)adenosine (16, FIG. 4)

To a solution of compound 15 (0.258 g, 0.46 mmol) in anhydrous pyridine (5 mL) was added 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (0.179 g, 0.53 mmol) and the solution was stirred for 12 hours at ambient temperature. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc three times. The organic extracts were combined, evaporated in vacuo, and dried over MgSO₄. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography using hexanes-EtOAc, 90:10, to give the title compound (16) as an oil (0.249 g, 63%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 9.16 (br s, 1H), 8.68 (s, 1H), 8.28 (s, 1H), 8.1-6.8 (m, 22H), 6.26 (d, J 1′,2′=4.0 Hz, 1H), 4.76 (m, 1H), 4.60 (m, 1H), 4.4-4.3 (m, 3H), 4.13-4.0 (m, 3H), 3.77 (s, 6H), 3.48 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 164.5, 163.6, 158.5, 152.6, 151.4, 149.5, 144.5, 141.9, 135.7, 134.7, 132.7. 130.1, 128.8, 128.2, 127.8, 126.9, 123.7, 113.2, 87.2, 84.1, 82.6, 69.9, 69.0, 63.0, 60.3, 55.2. HRMS (FAB+) m/z (M+Cs+) calcd for C₄₈H₄₂N₆O₁₀ 995.2017, found 995.2053 (M+Cs+).

Example 14 N⁶-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)adenosine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] (17, FIG. 4)

To a solution of compound 16 (0.300 g, 0.348 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) was added diisopropylamine tetrazolide (0.030 g, 0.174 mmol) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidite (0.13 mL, 0.418 mmol). After stirring for 12 hours at ambient temperature additional diisopropylamine tetrazolide (0.060 g, 0.348 mmol) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidite (0.26 mL, 0.832 mmol) were added in two portions over 24 hours. After 24 hours CH₂Cl₂-NEt₃, 100:1, was added and the mixture was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and brine. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The resulting oil was purified by flash chromatography by pre-treating the silica with hexanes-EtOAc-NEt₃, (40:60:1), then using the same solvent system to give the title compound (17) as an oil (203 g, 55%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 6.27 (m, 1H). ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃): δ 151.0, 150.5. HRMS (FAB+) m/z (M+Cs+) calcd for C₅₇H₅₉N₈O₁₁P 1195.3095, found 1195.3046 (M+Cs+).

Example 15 2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-3′,5′-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)adenosine (18, FIG. 5)

To a solution of compound 13 (0.228 g, 0.326 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) at 5° C. was added methylhydrazine (0.017 mL, 0.326 mmol) with stirring for 2 hours. The mixture was filtered to remove a precipitate and the filtrate was washed with water and brine. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, and the evaporated in vacuo to give the title compound (18) as an oil (186 mg). The oil was of sufficient purity for subsequent reactions. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.15 (s, 1H), 6.07 (s, 1H), 5.78 (br s, 2H), 4.70 (dd, J 1′,2′=4.4 Hz, J 2′,3′=9.0 Hz, 1H), 4.3-3.9 (m, 8H), 1.9 (br, 2H), 1.0 (m, 28H). LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 569 (M+H), 702 (M+Cs⁺).

Example 16 2′-O-(2-O-Formaldoxinylethyl)-3′,5′-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)adenosine (19, FIG. 5)

To a solution of compound 18 (0.186 g, 0.326 mmol) in EtOAc (2 mL) and MeOH (2 mL) was added formaldehyde (aqueous 37%, 0.028 mL, 0.342 mmol) with stirring at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give the title compound (19) as an oil (189 mg). The oil was of sufficient purity for subsequent reactions. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.09 (s, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.38 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.01 (s, 1H), 5.66 (br s, 2H), 4.77 (dd, J_(1′,2′)=4.7 Hz, J_(2′,3′)=9.3 Hz), 4.3-4.0 (m, 8H), 1.0 (m, 28H). LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 581 (M+H), 713 (M+Cs⁺).

Example 17 N⁶-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-O-formaldoximylethyl)-3′,5′-O-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)adenosine (20, FIG. 5)

To a solution of compound 19 (0.189 g, 0.326 mmol) in pyridine (5 mL) at 5° C. was added benzoyl chloride (0.19 mL, 1.63 mmol) and the resulting solution was stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The solution was cooled to 5° C. and concentrated NH₄OH (1.5 mL) was added with stirring for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oil which was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. The solution was washed with water and the organic layer was separated, dried with MgSO₄, and the solvent was evaporated to give the title compound (20) (223 mg) as an oil which was of sufficient purity for subsequent reactions. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 9.30 (br, 1H), 8.79 (s, 1H), 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.1-7.2 (m, 5H), 7.00 (d, 1H), 6.39 (d, 1H), 6.09 (s, 1H), 4.77 (dd, 1H), 4.4-3.9 (m, 8H), 1.1 (m, 28H).

Example 18 N⁶-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-O-formaldoximylethyl)adenosine (21, FIG. 5)

To a solution of compound 20 (223 mg, 0.326 mmol) in THF (10 mL) in a polyethylene reaction vessel at 5° C. was added HF-pyridine (70%, 0.19 mL, 6.5 mmol) and the mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature. After stirring for 48 hours the solvents were evaporated in vacuo to give a residue which was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc, and the organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by flash chromatography using EtOAc-MeOH, 95:5, to give the title compound (21) as a solid (24 mg, 17% from 13). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 9.05 (br s, 1H), 8.77 (s, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.9-7.2 (m), 6.26 (d, J=10.7 Hz, 1H), 6.03 (d, J_(1′,2′)=7.8 Hz), 4.88 (dd, J=4.6 Hz, J=7.9 Hz, 1H), 4.6-3.7 (m, 10H). LRMS (FAB+) m/z: 443 (M+H). LRMS (FAB−) m/z: 441 (M−H).

Example 19 N6-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-O-formaldoximylethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)adenosine (21A, FIG. 5)

To a solution of compound 21 (0.34 g, 0.768 mmol) in pyridine (7 mL) was added 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (0.312 g, 0.922 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 5 hours. Additional amounts of 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (520 mg, 1.54 mmol and 340 mg, 0.768 mmol) were added over 24 hours. The solvent was evaporated, the crude product was dissolved in EtOAc, and washed with water. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄ and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The crude material was purified by column chromatography using EtOAc-Hexanes-NEt₃, 80:20:0.5, v/v/v, followed by, EtOAc-NEt3, 100:0.5, v/v, as solvent to give the title compound (21A) as an oil (0.269 g, 47%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.99 (br s, 1H), 8.74 (s, 1H), 8.1-6.8 (m, 18H), 7.00 (d, 1H), 6.43 (d, 1H), 6.19 (d, 1H), 4.72 (m, 1H), 4.48 (m, 1H), 4.23 (m, 3H), 4.1 (m, 1H), 3.9 (m, 1H), 3.78 (s, 6H), 3.45 (m, 2H), 3.15 (d, 1H). HRMS (FAB+) m/z (M+Cs+) calcd for C₄₁H₄₀N₆O₈ 877.1962, found 877.1988 (M+Cs+).

Example 20 2′-O-Allyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine

In a 100 mL stainless steel pressure reactor, allyl alcohol (20 mL) was slowly added to a solution of borane in tetrahydrofuran (1 M, 10 mL, 10 mmol) with stirring. Hydrogen gas rapidly evolved. Once the rate of bubbling subsided, 2,2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (1.0 g, 0.4.2 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (6 mg) were added and the reactor was sealed. The reactor was placed in an oil bath and heated to 170° C. internal temperature for 18 hours. The reactor was cooled to room temperature and opened. Tlc revealed that all the starting material was gone (starting material and product Rf 0.25 and 0.60 respectively in 4:1 ethyl acetate/methanol on silica gel). The crude solution was concentrated, coevaporated with methanol (50 mL), boiling water (15 mL), absolute ethanol (2×25 mL) and then the residue was dried to 1.4 g of tan foam (1 mm Hg, 25° C., 2 hours). A portion of the crude nucleoside (1.2 g) was used for the next reaction step without further purification. The residue was coevaporated with pyridine (30 mL) and redissolved in pyridine (30 mL). Dimethoxytrityl chloride (1.7 g, 5.0 mmol) was added in one portion at room temperature. After 2 hours the reaction was quenched with methanol (5 mL), concentrated in vacuo and partitioned between a solution of saturated sodium bicarbonate and ethyl acetate (150 mL each). The organic phase was separated, concentrated and the residue was subjected to column chromatography (45 g silica gel) using a solvent gradient of hexanes-ethyl acetate-triethylamine (50:49:1) to (60:39:1). The product containing fractions were combined, concentrated, coevaporated with acetonitrile (30 mL) and dried (1 mm hg, 25° C., 24 hours) to 840 mg (34% two-step yield) of white foam solid. The NMR was consistent with the unmethylated uridine analog reported in the literature.

Example 21 2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine

2′-O-Allyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyluridine (1.0 g, 1.6 mmol), aqueous osmium tetroxide (0.15 M, 0.36 mL, 0.0056 mmol, 0.035 eq) and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (0.41 g, 3.5 mmol, 2.15 eq) were dissolved in dioxane (20 mL) and stirred at 25° C. for 4 hours. Tlc indicated complete and clean reaction to the diol (Rf of starting to diol 0.40 to 0.15 in dichloromethane/methanol 97:3 on silica). Potassium periodate (0.81 g, 3.56 mmol, 2.2 eq) was dissolved in water (10 mL) and added to the reaction. After 17 hours the tic indicated a 90% complete reaction (aldehyde Rf 0.35 in system noted above). The reaction solution was filtered, quenched with 5% aqueous sodium bisulfite (200 mL) and the product aldehyde was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×200 mL). The organic layers were combined, washed with brine (2×100 mL) and concentrated to an oil. The oil was dissolved in absolute ethanol (15 mL) and sodium borohydride (1 g) was added. After 2 hours at 25° C. the tlc indicated a complete reaction. Water (5 mL) was added to destroy the borohydride. After 2 hours the reaction was stripped and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (50 mL each). The organic layer was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was columned (silica gel 30 g, dichloromethane-methanol 97:3). The product containing fractions were combined and stripped and dried to 0.50 g (50%) of white foam. The NMR was consistent with that of material prepared by the glycosylation route.

Example 22 2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine

In a 100 mL stainless steel pressure reactor, ethylene glycol (20 mL) was slowly added to a solution of borane in tetrahydrofuran (1 M, 10 mL, 10 mmol) with stirring. Hydrogen gas rapidly evolved. Once the rate of bubbling subsided, 2,2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (1.0 g, 0.4.2 mmol) and sodium bicarbonate (3 mg) were added and the reactor was sealed. The reactor was placed in an oil bath and heated to 150° C. internal temperature for 72 hours. The bomb was cooled to room temperature and opened. TLC revealed that 65% of the starting material was gone (starting material and product Rf 0.25 and 0.40 respectively in 4:1 ethyl acetate/methanol on silica gel). The reaction was worked up incomplete. The crude solution was concentrated (1 mm Hg at 100° C., coevaporated with methanol (50 mL), boiling water (15 mL) and absolute ethanol (2×25 mL) and the residue was dried to 1.3 g of off-white foam (1 mm Hg, 25° C., 2 hours). NMR of the crude product was consistent with 65% desired product and 35% starting material. The TLC Rf matched (on cospot) the same product generated by treating the DMT derivative above with dilute hydrochloric acid in methanol as well as the Rf of one of the spots generated by treating a sample of this product with dimethoxytrityl chloride matched the known DMT derivative (other spots were DMT on side chain and bis substituted product).

Example 23 N4-benzoyl-2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)cytidine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] (25, FIG. 6)

The 2′-O-aminooxyethyl cytidine and guanosine analogs may be prepared via similar chemistry in combination with reported literature procedures. Key to the synthetic routes is the selective 2′-O-alkylation of unprotected nucleosides. (Guinosso, C. J., Hoke, G. D., Frier, S., Martin, J. F., Ecker, D. J., Mirabelli, C. K., Crooke, S. T., Cook, P. D., Nucleosides Nucleotides, 1991, 10, 259; Manoharan, M., Guinosso, C. J., Cook, P. D., Tetrahedron Lett., 1991, 32, 7171; Izatt, R. M., Hansen, L. D., Rytting, J. H., Christensen, J. J., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1965, 87, 2760. Christensen, L. F., Broom, A. D., J. Org. Chem., 1972, 37, 3398. Yano, J., Kan, L. S., Ts'o, P. O. P., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1980, 629, 178; Takaku, H., Kamaike, K., Chemistry Lett. 1982, 189). Thus, cytidine may be selectively alkylated to afford the intermediate 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)cytidine 22. The 3′-isomer of 22 is typically present in a minor amount and can be resolved by chromatography or crystallization. Compound 22 can be protected to give 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)cytidine (23). Reduction of the ester 23 should yield 2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)cytidine (24) which can be N-4-benzoylated, the primary hydroxyl group may be displaced by N-hydroxyphthalimide via a Mitsunobu reaction, and the protected nucleoside may be phosphitylated as usual to yield N4-benzoyl-2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)cytidine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] (25).

Example 24 N2-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] (31)

In a similar fashion the 2′-O-aminooxyethyl guanosine analog may be obtained by selective 2′-O-alkylation of diaminopurine riboside (.Multigram quantities of diaminopurine riboside may be purchased from Schering AG (Berlin).) to provide 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)diaminopurine riboside 26 along with a minor amount of the 3′-O-isomer. Compound 26 may be resolved and converted to 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)guanosine 27 by treatment with adenosine deaminase. (McGee, D. P. C., Cook, P. D., Guinosso, C. J., PCT Int. Appl., 85 pp.; PIXXD2; WO 94/02501 A1 940203.) Standard protection procedures should afford 2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine 28 and 2N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine 29 which may be reduced to provide 2-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine (30). As before the hydroxyl group may be displaced by N-hydroxyphthalimide via a Mitsunobu reaction, and the protected nucleoside may phosphitylated as usual to yield 2-N-isobutyryl-6-O-diphenylcarbamoyl-2′-O-(2-ethylacetyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)guanosine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] (31).

Example 25 N-(1-hydroxyphthalimido)-5-hexene (32, FIG. 9)

To a stirred solution of 5-hexane-1-ol (20 g, 0.2 mol) in THF (500 mL) was added triphenylphosphine (80 g, 0.3 mol) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (49 g, 0.3 mol). The mixture was cooled to 0° C. and diethylazido carboxylate (48 mL, 0.3 mol) was added slowly over a period of 1 hour. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and the yellow solution was stirred overnight. The solvent was then evaporated to give a yellow oil. The oil was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and washed with water, saturated NaHCO₃ solution followed by a saturated NaCl solution. The organic layer was concentrated in vacuo and the resulting oil was dissolved in a solution of CH₂Cl₂/ether to crystallize out Ph₃P═O as much as possible. After three steps of purification the title compound was isolated as a yellow waxy solid (yield 93%). ¹³C NMR: δ 21.94, 24.83, 27.58, 33.26,. 78.26, 114.91, 123.41, 128.40, 128.54, 128.63, 134.45 and 163.8 ppm.

Example 26 N-(1-hydroxyphthalimido-5,6-hexane-diol) (33, FIG. 9)

Compound 32 (2.59 g, 10 mmol), aqueous osmium tetroxide (0.15 M, 3.6 mL, 0.056 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (2.46 g, 21 mmol) were dissolved in THF (100 mL). The reaction mixture was covered with aluminum foil and stirred at 25° C. for 4 hours. Tlc indicated the diol was formed. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was partitioned between water and CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was washed with a saturated solution of NaCl and dried over anhydrous MgSO₄. Concentration of the organic layer resulted in a brownish oil that was characterized by ¹³C NMR and used in the next step without further purification. ¹³C NMR: δ 21.92, 28.08, 32.62, 66.76, 71.96, 78.33, 123.43, 128.47, 128.71, 131.93, 132.13, 134.49, 163.89.

Example 27 N-1-hydroxy phthalimido-6-O-dimethyoxytrityl-5,6 hexane-diol (34, FIG. 9)

The product from the previous step (3.0 g) was coevaporated with pyridine (2×20 mL) and dissolved in pyridine (100 mL). Dimethyoxytrityl chloride (3.5 g, 10 mmol) was dissolved in of pyridine (30 mL) and added to the diol dropwise over a period of 30 minutes. After 4 hours, the reaction was quenched with methanol (10 mL). The solvent was evaporated and the residual product portioned between saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and CH₂Cl₂ (100 mL each). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, concentrated and the residue was subjected to silica gel flash column chromatography using hexanes-ethyl acetate-triethyl amine (60:39:1). The product containing fractions were combined, concentrated in vacuo and dried to give a yellow foamy solid. NMR analysis indicated the title compound as a pure homogenous dimethyoxytritylated solid (5.05 g, 83% yield).

Example 28 (35, FIG. 9)

Compound 34 was phosphitylated (1.5 g, 2.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ solvent (20 mL) by the addition of diisoproylamine tetrazolide (214 mg, 1.25 mmol) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetraisopropyl phosphorodiamidite (1.3 mL, 4.0 mmol). After stirring the solution overnight the solvent was evaporated and the residue was applied to silica column and eluted with hexanes-ethyl acetate-triethylamine (50:49:1). Concentration of the appropriate fractions gave 1.61 g of the phosphitylated compound as a yellow foam (81%).

Example 29 Attachment of O-N linker to CPG (36, FIG. 10)

Succinylated and capped CPG was prepared according to method described by P. D. Cook et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,307). Compound 34 (0.8 mmol), dimethylaminopyridine (0.2 mmol), 2.0 g of succinylated and capped CPG triethylamine (160 μL) and DEC (4.0 mmol) were shaken together for 24 hours. Pentachlorophenyl (1.0 mmol) was then added and the resulting mixture was shaken for 24 hours. The CPG beads were filtered off and washed thoroughly with pyridine (30 mL) dichloromethane (2×30 mL), CH₃OH (30 mL) in ether. The CPG solid support was dried over P₂O₅ and its loading was determined to be 28 μmols/g.

Example 30 Synthesis of Oligonucleotides Ising ON Linker

The following oligonucleotides were synthesized using compound 35:

SEQ ID NO:1 5′ XTTTTTTTTTT 3′ SEQ ID NO:2 5′ X TGC ATC CCC CAG GCC ACC ATT TTT T 3′

These oligonucleotides were synthesized as phosphorothioates. Compound 35 was used as a 0.1 M solution in CH₃CN. The coupling efficiency of ON-linker was >95% as shown by trityl colors. The oligonucleotides were retained in the solid support for solid phase conjugation.

Example 31 Conjugation of Pyrene to Oligonucleotides Using ON-linker

Oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:1 in CPG (1 μmol) was taken in a glass funnel reactor and of 5% methylhydrazine (5 mL) in 9:1 CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH was added. The reactor was shaken for 30 minutes. The methyl hydrazine was drained, washed with CH₂Cl₂ and the methyl hydrazine reaction was repeated. The beads were washed with CH₂Cl₂ followed by ether and dried. Pyrene butyric acid-N-hydroxy succinimide (110 mg) in DMF (5 mL) was added. After shaking for 2 hours, the pyrene butyrate solution was drained, the oligonucleotide was deprotected in NH₄OH for 30 minutes at room temperature. The aqueous solution was then filtered and an HPLC analysis was run. The product peak had a retention time of 34.85 minutes and the diode-array spectrophotometer showed pyrene absorption.

Example 32 Conjugation of Pyrene Butyraldehyde to Oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:2)

Pyrene butyraldehyde is added to SEQ ID NO:2 after MeNHNH₂ treatment. NaCNBH₃ in MeOH was then added. Deprotection of CPG followed by NH₄OH cleaving of CPG showed pyrene conjugation to oligonucleotide.

Example 33

To a stirred solution of 1,6-hexane-diol N-hydroxyphthalimide (6.525 g, 0.039 mol) and triphenylphosphine (10.2 g, 0.039 mol) in anhydrous THF (100 mL) was added diethylazidocarboxylate (DEAD, 7.83 g, 0.045 mol) over a period of 1 hour at 5° C. under an atmosphere of argon. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature overnight. The bright yellow solution was concentrated under vacuum to remove the THF and portioned between CH₂Cl₂ and water. The organic layer was then washed with saturated NaHCO₃ followed by saturated NaCl. It was then dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and applied to a silica column and eluted with EtOAC/hexane 1:1 to give 9.8 g. The material was contaminated with Ph₃P═O and was recrystallized with CH₂Cl₂/ether.

Example 34 (FIGS. 11 and 12)

5-hexene-1-ol is sylylated using imidazole/TBDPS-Cl in CH₂Cl₂ to give compound 37. Compound 37 is then dihydroxylated with OSO₄/NMMO as in (Example 25 for Compound 33) to give compound 38. Compound 38 is dimethoxytritylated at the primary alcohol function to give compound 39. It is then subjected to Mitsunobu reaction with N-hydroxy-phthalimide to give compound 40. Compound 40 is then disilylated with TBAF (tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride, 1M in THF) to give compound 41. Compound 41 is then derivatized to a phosphoramidite 42. Compound 41 was also separately connected to controlled pore glass beads (Compound 43).

Example 35

2,6,9-(β-D-ribofuranosyl) purine (5.64 g, 20 mmol) was added to a suspension of 800 mg of 60% sodium hydride in oil previously washed with hexanes in 100 mL of DMF under argon. After 1 hour of stirring at room temperature allyl bromide (2 mL, 1.1 equivalent) was added to the solution and stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was evaporated and applied to a silica column and eluted with CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (20:1) containing 1% triethylamine. The total yield of 2′ and 3′ O-allyl compounds was 5.02 g (77%). The mixture of 2′ and 3′ isomers was then exocyclic amine protected by treatment of DMF DMA in MeoH in quantitative yield. This material was then 5′-O-dimethyoxytritylated to give a mixture of 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N-2-formamidine-2′-O-(2-hydroxy ethyl)-guanosine and 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N2-formamidine-3′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl) guanosine in 2:1 ratio. The final compounds were purified by silica gel flash column chromatography.

Example 36

2,6 diamino-9-(b-D-ribofuranosyl) purine (282 mg, 1 mmol) was added to a suspension of 40 mg of 60% sodium hydride in oil previously washed with hexanes in anhydrous DMF (5 mL). To this solution of 2-(bromoethoxy)-t-butyl-dimethyl silane (220 mL) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was evaporated and the resulting oil was partitioned between water and ethylacetate. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄. The reaction mixture was purified to give the 2′ and 3′ isomers over the silica gel. The 2′-material was then amine protected with DMF DMA and 5′-dimethoxytrilated to give 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N2-formamidine-2′-O-(2-TBDMS-hydroxyethyl) guanine.

Example 37 Oligonucleotide Synthesis

Unsubstituted and substituted oligonucleotides are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems model 380B) using standard phosphoramidite chemistry with oxidation by iodine. For phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, the standard oxidation bottle is replaced by 0.2 M solution of 3H-1,2-benzodithiole-3-one-1,1-dioxide in acetonitrile for the step wise thiation of the phosphite linkages. The thiation wait step is increased to 68 sec and is followed by the capping step. After cleavage from the CPG column and deblocking in concentrated ammonium hydroxide at 55° C. (18 hours), the oligonucleotides are purified by precipitating twice with 2.5 volumes of ethanol from a 0.5 M NaCl solution. Analytical gel electrophoresis is accomplished in 20% acrylamide, 8 M urea, 454 mM Tris-borate buffer, pH=7.0. Oligonucleotides and phosphorothioates are judged, based on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, to be greater than 80% full-length material.

Example 38 General Procedure for the Attachment of 2′-deoxy-2′-substituted 5′-dimethoxytriphenylmethyl Ribonucleosides to the 5′-hydroxyl of Nucleosides Bound to CPG Support

The 2′-deoxy-2′-substituted nucleoside that will reside at the terminal 3′-position of the oligonucleotide is protected as a 5′-DMT group (the cytosine and adenine exocyclic amino groups are benzoylated and the guanine amino is isobutrylated) and treated with trifluoroacetic acid/bromoacetic acid mixed anhydride in pyridine and dimethylaminopyridine at 50° C. for five hours. The solution is then evaporated under reduced pressure to a thin syrup which is dissolved in ethyl acetate and passed through a column of silica gel. The homogenous fractions are collected and evaporated to dryness. A solution of 10 mL of acetonitrile, 10 μM of the 3′-O-bromomethylester-modified nucleoside, and 1 mL of pyridine/dimethylaminopyridine (1:1) is syringed slowly (60 to 90 sec) through a 1 μM column of CPG thymidine (Applied Biosystems, Inc.) that had previously been treated with acid according to standard conditions to afford the free 5′-hydroxyl group. Other nucleoside-bound CPG columns may be employed. The eluent is collected and syringed again through the column. This process is repeated three times. The CPG column is washed slowly with 10 mL of acetonitrile and then attached to an ABI 380B nucleic acid synthesizer. Oligonucleotide synthesis is now initiated. The standard conditions of concentrated ammonium hydroxide deprotection that cleaves the thymidine ester linkage from the CPG support also cleaves the 3′,5′ ester linkage connecting the pyrimidine modified nucleoside to the thymidine that was initially bound to the CPG nucleoside. In this manner, any 2′-substituted nucleoside or generally any nucleoside with modifications in the heterocycle and/or sugar can be attached at the 3′ end of an oligonucleotide.

Example 39 Modified Oligonucleotide Synthesis for Incorporation of 2′-substituted Nucleotides

A. ABI Synthesizer

Oligonucleotide sequences incorporating 1-[2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine were synthesized on an ABI 380B utilizing phosphoramidite chemistry with double-coupling and increased coupling times (5 and 10 min). The 2′-O-aminooxyethoxy phosphoramidite was used at a starting concentration of 0.08 M and 10% tert-butyl peroxide in acetonitrile was used as the oxidizer. Deoxy phosphoramidites were used at 0.2 M. Final concentrations of 2′-O-aminooxyethoxy and deoxy amidites were 0.04 M and 0.1 M, respectively. The oligonucleotides were cleaved from the CPG support and the base protecting groups removed using concentrated ammonia at 55° C. for 6 hours. The oligonucleotides were purified by size exclusion chromatography over Sephadex G25 and analyzed by electrospray mass spectrometry and capillary gel electrophoresis. Deoxy phosphoramidites were purchased from Perseptive Biosystems GmbH.

(SEQ ID NO:6) CTC GTA CCt TTC CGG TCC. LRMS (ES−) m/z: calcd: 5453.2; found: 5453.5.

(SEQ ID NO:8) CTC GTA Ctt ttC CGG TCC. LRMS (ES−) m/z: calcd: 5693.2; found: 5692.9.

(SEQ ID NO:12) GCG ttt ttt ttt tGC G. LRMS (ES−) m/z: calcd: 5625.7; found: 5625.9.

B. Expedite Synthesizer oligonucleotides incorporating 1-[2′-O-(2-phthalimdo-N-oxyethyl-5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-B-D-riboframosyl)-6-N-benzoylthymine were synthesized in an Expedite 8690 Synthesizer. 130 mg of the amidite was dissolved in dry CH₃CN (1.3 mL, app. 0.08M). 10% t-BuOOH in CH₃CN v/v was used as the oxidizing agent. An extended coupling and waiting times were used and a 10 min. oxidation was employed. The oligonucleotide synthesis revealed excellent coupling yields (>98%). Oligonucleotides were purified and their mass spec and profiles determined.

Oligo- nucleo- tide Sequence SEQ ID NO:   V CTC GTA CCa TTC CGG TCC 13  VI GGa CCG Gaa GGT aCG aG 14 VII aCC GaG GaT CaT GTC GTa CGC 15

where a represents 1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]adenosine.

Example 40 Oligonucleotide Having 2′-Substituted Oligonucleotides Regions Flanking Central 2′-Deoxy Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotide Region

A 15mer RNA target of the sequence 5′GCGTTTTTTTTTTGCG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:3) is prepared in the normal manner on the DNA sequencer using RNA protocols. A series of complementary phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-O-substituted nucleotides in regions that flank a 2′-deoxy region are prepared utilizing 2′-O-substituted nucleotide precursors prepared as per known literature preparations, i.e. 2′-O-methyl, or as per the procedure of International Publication Number WO 92/03568, published Mar. 5, 1992. The 2′-O-substituted nucleotides are added as their 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-3′-phosphoramidites in the normal manner on the DNA synthesizer. The complementary oligonucleotides have the sequence of 5′ CGCAAAAAAAAAAAAACGC 3′ (SEQ ID NO:4). The 2′-O-substituent is located in CGC and CG regions of these oligonucleotides. The 2′-O-substituents used are 2′-aminooxyethyl, 2′-O-ethylaminooxyethyl and 2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl.

Example 41 Hybridization Analysis

A. Evaluation of the thermodynamics of hybridization of 2′-modified oligonucleotides.

The ability of the 2′-modified oligonucleotides to hybridize to their complementary RNA or DNA sequences is determined by thermal melting analysis. The RNA complement is synthesized from T7 RNA polymerase and a template-promoter of DNA synthesized with an Applied Biosystems, Inc. 380B RNA species is purified by ion exchange using FPLC (LKB Pharmacia, Inc.). Natural antisense oligonucleotides or those containing 2′-modifications at specific locations are added to either the RNA or DNA complement at stoichiometric concentrations and the absorbance (260 nm) hyperchromicity upon duplex to random coil transition is monitored using a Gilford Response II spectrophotometer. These measurements are performed in a buffer of 10 mM Na-phosphate, pH 7.4, 0.1 mM EDTA, and NaCl to yield an ionic strength of 10 either 0.1 M or 1.0 M. Data is analyzed by a graphic representation of 1/T_(m) vs ln(Ct), where (Ct) was the total oligonucleotide concentration. From this analysis the thermodynamic para-meters are determined. Based upon the information gained concerning the stability of the duplex of heteroduplex formed, the placement of modified pyrimidine into oligonucleotides are assessed for their effects on helix stability. Modifications that drastically alter the stability of the hybrid exhibit reductions in the free energy (delta G) and decisions concerning their usefulness as antisense oligonucleotides are made.

As is shown in the following table (Table 1), the incorporation of 2′-substituted nucleosides of the invention into oligonucleotides can result in significant increases in the duplex stability of the modified oligonucleotide strand (the antisense strand) and its complementary RNA strand (the sense strand). The stability of the duplex increased as the number of 2′-substituted nucleosides in the antisense strand increased. As is evident from Table 1 the addition of a 2′-substituted nucleoside, irrespective of the individual nucleoside or the position of that nucleoside in the oligonucleotide sequence, resulted in an increase in the duplex stability.

In Table 1, the small case nucleosides represent nucleosides that include substituents of the invention. Effects of 2′-O-aminooxyethoxy modifications on DNA(antisense)—RNA(sense) duplex stability.

TABLE 1 SEQ ID NO: Sequence 5 CTC GTA CCT TTC CGG TCC 6 CTC GTA CCt TTC CGG TCC 7 CTC GTA CTT TTC CGG TCC 8 CTC GTA Ctt ttC CGG TCC 9 GCG TTT TTT TTT TGC G 10 GCG ttt ttt ttt tGC G 11 GCG TTT TTT TTT TGC G* 12 GCG ttt ttt ttt tGC G* 13 CTC GTA CCa TTTC CGG TCC 14 GGa CCG Gaa GGT aCG aG 15 aCC GaG GaT CaT GTC GTa CGC t = ]1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]thymine. a = ]1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]adenosine. * = was hybridized against DNA as sense strand.

SEQ ID NO: subs. T_(m) ° C. ΔT_(m) ° C. ΔT_(m) ° C./sub.  5  0 65.2 ± 0.0   6  1 64.8 ± 0.1  −0.5 ± 0.1  −0.5 ± 0.1   7  0 61.5 ± 0.0   8  4 65.6 ± 0.4  4.1 ± 0.4 1.0 ± 0.1  9  0 48.2 ± 0.6  10 10 60.0 ± 0.0  11.9 ± 0.7  1.19 ± 0.07 11  0 53.5 ± 0.1† 12 10 44.0 ± 0.2† −9.4 ± 0.3† −0.94 ± 0.03†

As is evident from Table 1, the duplexes formed between RNA and oligonucleotides containing 2′-substituents of the invention exhibited increased binding stability as measured by the hybridization thermodynamic stability. While we do not wish to be bound by theory, it is presently believed that the presence of a 2′-substituent of the invention results in the sugar moiety of the 2′-substituted nucleoside assuming substantially a 3′-endo conformation and this results in the oligonucleotide-RNA complex assuming an A-type helical conformation.

Example 42 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O²-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridie (101)

O²-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (Pro. Bio. Sint., Varese, Italy, 100.0 g, 0.416 mmol), dimethylaminopyridine (0.66 g, 0.013 eq, 0.0054 mmol) were dissolved in dry pyridine (500 ml) at ambient temperature under an argon atmosphere and with mechanical stirring. tert-Butyldiphenylchlorosilane (125.8 g, 119.0 mL, 1.1 eq, 0.458 mmol) was added in one portion. The reaction was stirred for 16 h at ambient temperature. TLC (Rf 0.22, ethyl acetate) indicated a complete reaction. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. This was partitioned between dichloromethane (1 L) and sat'd sodium bicarbonate (2×1 L) and brine (1 L). The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a thick oil. The oil was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and ethyl ether (600 mL) and the solution was cooled to −10° C. The resulting crystalline product was collected by filtration, washed with ethyl ether (3×200 mL) and dried (40° C., 1 mm Hg, 24 h) to 149 g (74.8%) of white solid. TLC and NMR were consistent with pure product.

Example 43 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (102)

In a 2 L stainless steel, unstirred pressure reactor was added borane in tetrahydrofuran (1.0 M, 2.0 eq, 622 mL). In the fume hood and with manual stirring, ethylene glycol (350 mL, excess) was added cautiously at first until the evolution of hydrogen gas subsided. 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-O²-2′-anhydro-5-methyluridine (149 g, 0.311 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (0.074 g, 0.003 eq) were added with manual stirring. The reactor was sealed and heated in an oil bath until an internal temperature of 160° C. was reached and then maintained for 16 h (pressure<100 psig). The reaction vessel was cooled to ambient and opened. TLC (Rf 0.67 for desired product and Rf 0.82 for ara-T side product, ethyl acetate) indicated about 70% conversion to the product. In order to avoid additional side product formation, the reaction was stopped, concentrated under reduced pressure (10 to 1 mm Hg) in a warm water bath (40-100° C.) with the more extreme conditions used to remove the ethylene glycol. [Alternatively, once the low boiling solvent is gone, the remaining solution can be partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The product will be in the organic phase.] The residue was purified by column chromatography (2 kg silica gel, ethyl acetate-hexanes gradient 1:1 to 4:1). The appropriate fractions were combined, stripped and dried to product as a white crisp foam (84 g, 50%), contaminated starting material (17.4 g) and pure reusable starting material 20 g. The yield based on starting material less pure recovered starting material was 58%. TLC and NMR were consistent with 99% pure product. NMR (DMSO-d6) d 1.05 (s, 9H, t-butyl), 1.45 (s, 3 H, CH3), 3.5-4.1 (m, 8 H, CH2CH2, 3′-H, 4′-H, 5′-H, 5″-H), 4.25 (m, 1 H, 2′-H), 4.80 (t, 1 H, CH2O-H), 5.18 (d, 2H, 3′-OH), 5.95 (d, 1 H, 1′-H), 7.35-7.75 (m, 11 H, Ph and C6-H), 11.42 (s, 1 H, N-H).

Example 44 2′-O-([2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl]-5′-t-butyldiphenylsilyl-5-methyluridine (103)

Nucleoside 102 (20 g, 36.98 mmol) was mixed with triphenylphosphine (11. 63 g, 44.36 mmol) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (7.24 g, 44.36 mmol). It was then dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum for two days at 40° C. The reaction mixture was flushed with argon and dry THF (369.8 mL, Aldrich, sure seal bottle) was added to get a clear solution. Diethyl-azodicarboxylate (6.98 mL, 44.36 mmol) was added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The rate of addition is maintained such that resulting deep red coloration is just discharged before adding the next drop. After the addition was complete, the reaction was stirred for 4 hrs. By that time TLC showed the completion of the reaction (ethylacetate:hexane, 60:40). The solvent was evaporated in vacuum. Residue obtained was placed on a flash column and eluted with ethyl acetate:hexane (60:40), to get 103 as white foam (21.819, 86%). Rf 0.56 (ethyl acetate:hexane, 60:40). MS (FAB⁻)m/e 684 (M−H⁺)

Example 45 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[(2-formadoximinooxy)ethyl]-5-methyluridine (104)

Compound 103 (3.1 g, 4.5 mmol) was dissolved in dry CH₂Cl₂ (4.5 mL) and methylhydrazine (300 mL, 4.64 mmol) was added dropwise at −10° C. to 0° C. After 1 hr the mixture was filtered, the filtrate was washed with ice cold CH₂Cl₂ and the combined organic phase was washed with water, brine and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. The solution concentrated to get 2′-O-(aminooxyethyl) thymidine, which was then dissolved in MeOH (67.5 mL). To this formaldehyde (20% aqueous solution, w/w, 1.1 eg.) was added and the mixture for 1 hr. Solvent removed under vacuum; residue chromatographed to get compound 104 as white foam (1. 95, 78%). Rf 0.32 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (Electrospray⁻) m/e 566 (M−H^(⊕))

Example 46 5′-O-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl-2′-O-[N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl]-5-methyluridine (105)

Compound 104 (1.77 g, 3.12 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 1M pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (PPTS) in dry MeOH (30.6 mL). Sodiumcyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added to this solution at 10° C. under inert atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at 10° C. After that the reaction vessel was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 hr, the reaction monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (5%, 10 mL) was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20 mL). Ethyl acetate phase dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, evaporated to dryness. Residue dissolved in a solution of 1M PPTS in MeOH (30.6 mL). Formaldehyde (20% w/w, 30 mL, 3.37 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Reaction mixture cooled to 10° C. in an ice bath, sodiumcyanoborohydride (0.39 g, 6.13 mmol) was added and reaction mixture stirred at 10° C. for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the reaction mixture was removed from the ice bath and stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. To the reaction mixture 5% NaHCO₃ (25 mL) solution was added and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×25 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄; and evaporated to dryness. The residue obtained was purified by flash column chromatography and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to get 105 as a white foam (14. 6 g, 80%). Rf 0.35 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 584 (M+H^(⊕))

Example 47 2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (106)

Triethylamine trihydrofluoride (3.91 mL, 24.0 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF and triethylamine (1.67 mL, 12 mmol, dry, kept over KOH). This mixture of triethylamine-2HF was then added to compound 105 (1.40 g, 2.4 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. Reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Solvent removed under vacuum and the residue placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to get 106 (766 mg, 92.5%). Rf 0.27 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 346 (M+H^(⊕))

Example 48 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine (107)

Compound 106 (750 mg, 2.17 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight at 40° C. It was then co-evaporated with anhydrous pyridine (20 mL). The residue obtained was dissolved in pyridine (11 mL) under argon atmosphere. 4-dimethylaminopyridine (26.5 mg, 2.60 mmol), 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (880 mg, 2.60 mmol) was added to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until all of the starting material disappeared. Pyridine was removed under vacuum and the residue chromatographed and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ (containing a few drops of pyridine) to get 107 (1.13 g, 80%). Rf 0.44 ((10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 648 (M+H^(⊕))

Example 49 5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyluridine-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] (108)

Compound 107 (1.08 g, 1.67 mmol) was co-evaporated with toluene (20 mL). To the residue N,N-diisopropylamine tetrazonide (0.29 g, 1.67 mmol) was added and dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight at 40° C. Then the reaction mixture was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (8.4 mL) and 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N¹,N¹-tetraisopropylphosphoramidite (2.12 mL, 6.08 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hrs under inert atmosphere. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (hexane:ethyl acetate 1:1). The solvent was evaporated, then the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (70 mL) and washed with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃ (40 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. Residue obtained was chromatographed (ethyl acetate as eluent) to get 108 as a foam (1.04 g, 74.9%). Rf 0.25 (ethyl acetate:hexane, 1:1). ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃) δ 150.8 ppm; MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 848 (M+H^(⊕))

Example 50 2′/3′-O-allyl adenosine (109)

Adenosine (20 g, 74.84 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum at 40° C. for two days. It was then suspended in DMF under inert atmosphere. Sodium hydride (2.5 g, 74.84 mmol, 60% dispersion in mineral oil), stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then allyl bromide (7.14 mL, 82.45 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. DMF was removed under vacuum and residue was washed with ethyl acetate (100 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was decanted. Filtrate obtained contained product. It was then placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to get 109 (15.19 g, 66%). Rf 0.4, 0.4a ((10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂)

Example 51 2′/3′-O-allyl-N⁶-benzoyl adenosine (110)

Compound 109 (15.19 g, 51.1 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight at 40° C. It was then dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (504.6 mL) under inert atmosphere. Trimethylchlorosilane (32.02 mL, 252.3 mmol) was added at 0° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hr under inert atmosphere. Then benzoyl chloride (29.4 mL, 252.3 mmol) was added dropwise. Once the addition of benzoyl chloride was over, the reaction mixture was brought to room temperature and stirred for 4 hrs. Then the reaction mixture was brought to 0° C. in an ice bath. Water (100.9 mL). was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. Then NH₄OH (100.0 mL, 30% aqueous solution w/w) was added, keeping the reaction mixture at 0° C. and stirring for an additional 1 hr. Solvent evaporated residue partitioned between water and ether. Product precipitates as an oil, which was then chromatographed (5%MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to get 13 as a white foam (12.67 g, 62%).

Example 52 3′-O-allyl-5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-N⁶-benzoyl-adenosine (111)

Compound 110 (11.17 g, 27.84 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under vacuum at 40° C., then dissolved in dry CH₂Cl₂ (56 mL, sure seal from Aldrich). 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.34 g, 2.8 mmol), triethylamine (23.82 mL, 167 mmol) and t-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride were added. The reaction mixture was stirred vigorously for 12 hr. Reaction was monitored by TLC (ethyl acetate:hexane 1:1). It was then diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) and washed with water (3×30 mL). Dichloromethane layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Residue purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate:hexane 1:1 as eluent) to get 111 as a white foam (8.85 g, 49%). Rf 0.35 (ethyl acetate:hexane, 1:1)

Example 53 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-N⁶-benzoyl-2′-O-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-adenosine (112)

Compound 111 (5.5 g, 8.46 mmol), 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (1.43 g, 12.18 mmol) were dissolved in dioxane (45.42 mL). 4% aqueous solution of OSO₄ (1.99 mL, 0.31 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was protected from light and stirred for 3 hrs. Reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Ethyl acetate (100 mL) was added and the resulting reaction mixture was washed with water (1×50 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to get 112 (5.9 g) and used for next step without purification. Rf 0.17 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂)

Example 54 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-N⁶-benzoyl-2′-O-(formylmethyl)-adenosine (113)

Compound 112 (5.59 g, 8.17 mmol) was dissolved in dry CH₂Cl₂ (40.42 mL). To this NaIO₄ adsorbed on silica gel (Ref. J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62, 2622-2624) (16.34 g, 2 g/mmol) was added and stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes. Reaction monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. Dichloromethane layer evaporated to get the aldehyde 113 (5.60 g) that was used in the next step without purification. Rf 0.3 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂)

Example 55 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-N⁶-2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl) adenosine (114)

Compound 113 (5.55 g, 8.50 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 1M pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate in anhydrous MeOH (85 mL). Reaction mixture was protected from moisture. Sodiumcyanoborohydride (1.08 g, 17.27 mmol) was added and reaction mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 5 hrs. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (150 mL), then washed with 5% NaHCO₃ (75 mL) and brine (75 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Residue purified by flash chromatography (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to get 114 (4.31 g, 77.8%). Rf 0.21 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 655 (M+H^(⊕)), 677 (M+Na^(⊕))

Example 56 5′-tert-butyldipheny7n.lsilyl-benzoyl-2′-O-(2-phthalimidooxyethyl) adenosine (115)

Compound 114 (3.22 g, 4.92 mmol) was mixed with triphenylphosphine (1.55 g, 5.90 mmol) and N-hydroxyphthalimide (0.96 g, 5.90 mmol). It was then dried over P₂O₅ under vacuum at 40° C. for two days. Dissolved dried mixture in anhydrous THF (49.2 mL) under inert atmosphere. Diethyl azodicarboxylate (0.93 mL, 5.90 mmol) was added dropwise. The rate of addition was maintained such that resulting deep red coloration is just discharged before adding the next drop. After the addition was completed, the reaction was stirred for 4 hrs, monitored by TLC (ethylacetate:hexane 70:30). Solvent was removed under vacuum and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate (75 mL). The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water (75 mL), then dried over Na₂SO₄, concentrated and chromatographed (ethylacetate:hexane 70:30) to get 115 (3.60 g, 91.5%). Rf 0.27 ethyl acetate:hexane, 7:3) MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 799 (M+H^(⊕)), 821 (M+Na^(⊕))

Example 57 5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-N′-benzoyl-2′-O-(2-formaldoximinooxyethyl) adenosine (116)

Compound 115 (3.5 g, 4.28 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (43.8 mL). N-methylhydrazine (0.28 mL, 5.27 mmol) was added at −10° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hr at −10 to 0° C. Reaction monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). A white precipitate formed was filtered and filtrate washed with ice cold CH₂Cl₂ thoroughly. Dichloromethane layer evaporated on a rotavapor keeping the water bath temperature of rotavapor at less than 25° C. Residue obtained was then dissolved in MeOH (65.7 mL). Formaldehyde (710 mL, 4.8 mmol, 20% solution in water) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hr. Reaction monitored by ¹H NMR. Reaction mixture concentrated and chromatographed (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to get 116 as a white foam (2.47 g, 83%). Rf 0.37 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 681 (M+H^(⊕))

Example 58 5′-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-N⁶-benzoyl-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl) adenosine (117)

Compound 116 (2.2 g, 3.23 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of 1M pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (PPTS) in MeOH (32 mL). Reaction protected from moisture. Sodium cyanoborohydride (0.31 g) was added at 10° C. and reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at 10° C. It was then brought to ambient temperature and stirred for 2 hrs, monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). 5% aqueous sodiumbicarbonate (100 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Residue was dissolved in a solution of 1M PPTS in MeOH (32 mL). Formaldehyde (0.54 mL, 3.55 mmol, 20% aqueous solution) was added and stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Sodium cyanoborohydride (0.31 g) was added at 10° C. and stirred for 10 minutes at 10° C. Then the reaction mixture was removed from ice bath and stirred at room temperature for an additional 2 hrs, monitored by TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Reaction mixture was diluted with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃ (100 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried, evaporated and chromatographed (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to get 117 (1.9 g, 81.8%). Rf 0.29 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 697 (M+H^(⊕)), 719 (M+Na^(⊕))

Example 59 N⁶-benzoyl-2′-O-(N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl) adenosine (118)

To a solution of Et₃N-3HF (1.6 g, 10 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) triethylamine (0.71 mL, 5.12 mmol) was added. Then this mixture was added to compound 117 (0.72 g, 1 mmol) and stirred at room temperature under inert atmosphere for 24 hrs. Reaction monitored by TLC (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). Solvent removed under vacuum and the residue chromatographed (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to get 118 (0.409 g, 89%). Rf 0.40 (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 459 (M+H^(⊕))

Example 60 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-N⁶-benzoyl-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl) adenosine (119)

Compound 118 (0.4 g, 0.87 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under vacuum overnight at 40° C. 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.022 g, 0.17 mmol) was added. Then it was co-evaporated with anhydrous pyridine (9 mL). Residue was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (2 mL) under inert atmosphere, and 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride (0.58 g, 1.72 mmol) was added and stirred at room temperature for 4 hrs. TLC (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) showed the completion of the reaction. Pyridine was removed under vacuum, residue dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) and washed with aqueous 5% NaHCO₃ (30 mL) solution followed by brine (30 mL). CH₂Cl₂ layer dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated. Residue chromatographed (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ containing a few drops of pyridine) to get 119 (0.5 g, 75%). Rf 0.20 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (Electrospray⁻) m/e 759 (M+H^(⊕))

Example 61 N⁶-benzoyl-5′-O-DMT-2′-O-(N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl) adenosine-3′-O-phosphoramidite (120)

Compound 119 (0.47 g, 0.62 mmol) was co-evaporated with toluene (5 mL). Residue was mixed with N,N-diisopropylamine tetrazolide (0.106 g, 0.62 mmol) and dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight. Then it was dissolved in anhydrous CH₃CN (3.2 mL) under inert atmosphere. 2-cyanoethyl-tetraisopropyl phosphordiamidite (0.79 mL, 2.48 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature under inert atmosphere for 6 hrs. Reaction was monitored by TLC (ethyl acetate containing a few drops of pyridine). Solvent was removed, then residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (50 mL) and washed with 5% aqueous NaHCO₃ (2×25 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, evaporated, and residue chromatographed (ethyl acetate containing a few drops of pyridine) to get 120 (0.45 g, 76%). MS (Electrospray⁻) m/e 959 (M+H^(⊕)). ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃) δ 151.36, 150.77 ppm

Example 62

2′/3′-O-allyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside (121 and 122) 2,6-Diaminopurine riboside (30 g, 106.4 mmol) was suspended in anhydrous DMF (540 mL). Reaction vessel was flushed with argon. Sodium hydride (3.6 g, 106.4 mmol, 60% dispersion in mineral oil) was added and the reaction stirred for 10 min. Allyl bromide (14.14 mL, 117.22 mmol) was added dropwise over 20 min. The resulting reaction mixture stirred at room temperature for 20 hr. TLC (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) showed complete disappearance of starting material. DMF was removed under vacuum and the residue absorbed on silica was placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂. Fractions containing mixture of 2′ and 3′ allylated product was pooled together and concentrated to dryness to yield a mixture of 121 and 122 (26.38 g, 77%). Rf 0.26, 0.4 (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂)

Example 63 2′-O-allyl-guanosine (123)

A mixture of 121 and 122 (20 g, 62.12 mmol) was suspended in 100 mm sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) and adenosine deaminase (1 g) was added. The resulting solution was stirred very slowly for 60 hr, keeping the reaction vessel open to atmosphere. Reaction mixture was then cooled in ice bath for one hr and the precipitate obtained was filtered, dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum to yield 123 as white powder (13.92 g, 69.6% yield). Rf 0.19 (20% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂)

Example 64 2′-O-allyl-3′,5′-bis(tert-butyl diphenylsilyl) guanosine (124)

2′-O-allyl-guanosine (6 g, 18.69 mmol) was mixed with imidazole (10.18 g, 14.952 mmol) and was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight. It was then flushed with argon. Anhydrous DMF (50 mL) was added and stirred with the reaction mixture for 10 minutes. To this tert-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride (19.44 mL, 74.76 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred overnight under argon atmosphere. DMF was removed under vacuum and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 mL) and washed with water (2×75 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Residue placed on a flash column and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂. Fractions containing the product were pooled together and evaporated to yield 124 (10.84 g, 72% yield) as a white foam. Rf=? MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 800 (M+H^(⊕)), 822 (M+Na^(⊕)).

Example 65 2′-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3′,5′-bis(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl) guanosine (125)

Compound 124 (9 g, 11.23 mmol) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (80 mL). To the clear solution acetone (50 mL), 4-methyl morpholine-N-oxide (1.89 g, 16.17 mmol) was added. The reaction flask was protected from light. Thus 4% aqueous solution of osmium tetroxide was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 6 hr. Reaction volume was concentrated to half and ethyl acetate (50 mL) was added. It was then washed with water (30 mL) and brine (30 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Residue was then dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and NaIO₄ adsorbed on silica (21.17 g, 2 g/mmol) was added and stirred with the reaction mixture for 30 min. The reaction mixture was filtered and silica was washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. Combined CH₂Cl₂ layer was evaporated to dryness. Residue was then dissolved in dissolved in 1M pyridinium-p-toluene sulfonate (PPTS) in dry MeOH (99.5 mL) under inert atmosphere. To the clear solution sodium cyanoborohydride (1.14 g, 18.2 mmol) was added and stirred at room temperature for 4 hr. 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate (50 mL) was added to the reaction mixture slowly and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×50 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Residue placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to yield 125 (6.46 g, 72% yield). MS (Electrospray−) m/e 802 (M−H^(⊕))

Example 66 2′-O-[(2-phthalimidoxy)ethyl]-3′,5′-bis(tert butyldiphenylsilyl)guanosine (126)

Compound 125 (3.7 g, 4.61 mmol) was mixed with Ph₃P (1.40 g, 5.35 mmol), and hydroxy phthalimide (0.87 g, 5.35 mmol). It was then dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum for two days at 40° C. These anhydrous THF (46.1 mmol) was added to get a clear solution under inert atmosphere. Diethylazidocarboxylate (0.73 mL, 4.61 mmol) was added dropwise in such a manner that red color disappears before addition of the next drop. Resulting solution was then stirred at room temperature for 4 hr. THF was removed under vacuum and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate (75 mL) and washed with water (2×50 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to dryness. Residue was purified by column chromatography and eluted with 7% MeOH in ethyl acetate to yield 126 (2.62 g, 60% yield). Rf 0.48 (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB⁻) m/e 947 (M−H^(⊕)).

Example 67 2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-3′,5′-O-bis-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-N2-isobutyrylguanosine (127)

2-′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-3′,5′-O-bis-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl guanosine (3.66 g, 3.86 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (40 mL), the solution was cooled to 5° C., and isobutyryl chloride (0.808 mL, 7.72 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to 25° C., and after 2 h additional isobutyryl chloride (0.40 mL, 3.35 mmol) was added at 25° C. After 1 h the solvent was evaporated in vaccuo (0.1 torr) at 30° C. to give a foam which was dissolved in ethyl acetate (150 mL) to give a fine suspension. The suspension was washed with water (2×15 mL) and brine (4 mL), and the organic layer was separated and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was evaporated in vaccuo to give a foam, which was purified by column chromatography using CH₂Cl₂—MeOH, 94:6, v/v, to afford the title compound as a white foam (2.57 g, 65%). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): d 11.97 (br s, 1H), 8.73 (s, 1H), 7.8-7.2 (m, 25H), 5.93 (d, 1H, J_(1′,2′)=3.3 Hz), 4.46 (m, 1H), 4.24 (m, 2H), 3.83 (m, 2H), 3.60 (m, 2H), 3.32 (m, 1H), 2.67 (m, 1H), 1.30 (d, 3H, J=3.2 Hz), 1.26 (d, 3H, j=3.1 Hz), 1.05 (s, 9H), 1.02 (s, 9H).

This compound was further derivatized into the corresponding phosphoramidite using the chemistries described above for A and T analogs to give compound 128.

Example 68 3′-O-acetyl-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl thymidine (129)

Compound 105 (3.04 g, 5.21 mmol) was dissolved in chloroform (11.4 mL). To this was added dimethylaminopyridine (0.99 g, 8.10 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. Acetic anhydride (0.701 g, 6.87 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was then diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (40 mL) and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (30 mL) and brine (30 mL). CH₂Cl₂ layer evaporated to dryness. Residue placed on a flash column and eluted with ethyl acetate: hexane (80:20) to yield 129. Rf 0.43 (ethyl acetate:hexane, 80:20). MS (Electrospray⁻) m/e 624 (M−H^(⊕))

Example 69 2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl 5-methyl cytidine (130)

A suspension of 1,2,4-triazole (5.86 g, 84.83 mmol) in anhydrous CH₃CN (49 mL) was cooled in an ice bath for 5 to 10 min. under argon atmosphere. To this cold suspension POCl₃ (1.87 mL, 20 mmol) was added slowly over 10 min. and stirring continued for an additional 5 min. Triethylamine (13.91 mL, 99.8 mmol) was added slowly over 30 min., keeping the bath temperature around 0-2° C. After the addition was complete the reaction mixture was stirred at this temperature for an additional 30 minutes when compound 35 (3.12 g, 4.99 mmol) was added in anhydrous acetonitrile (3 mL) in one portion. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-2° C. for 10 min. Then ice bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hr. The reaction mixture was cooled to ° C. and this was concentrated to smaller volume and dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 mL), washed with water (2×30 mL) and brine (30 mL). Organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to dryness. Residue obtained was then dissolved in saturated solution of NH₃ in dioxane (25 mL) and stirred at room temperature overnight. Solvent was removed under vacuum. The residue was purified by column chromatography and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to get 130.

Example 70 2′-O-(2,N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-N⁴-benzoyl-5′-O-tert-butyldiphenylsilylcytidine (131)

Compound 130 (2.8 g, 4.81 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (12.33 mL). Benzoic anhydride (1.4 g, 6.17 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Methanol was added (1 mL) and solvent evaporated to dryness. Residue was dissolved in dichloromethane (50 mL) and washed with saturated solution of NaHCO₃ (2×30 mL) followed by brine (30 mL). Dichloromethane layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. The residue obtained was purified by column chromatography and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to yield 131 as a foam.

Example 71 N⁴-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-methyl cytidine (132)

Compound 131 (2.5 g, 3.9 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum. In a 100 mL round bottom flask, triethylamine trihydrofluoride (6.36 mL, 39 mmol) is dissolved in anhydrous THF (39 mL). To this, triethylamine (2.72 mL, 19.5 mmol) was added and the mixture was quickly poured into compound 131 and stirred at room temperature overnight. Solvent is removed under vacuum and the residue kept in a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Ca₂ to yield 132.

Example 72 N⁴-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl) -5-O ′-dimetoxytrityl-5-methyl cytidine (133)

Compound 132 (1.3 g, 2.98 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight. It was then co-evaporated with anhydrous pyridine (10 mL). Residue was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (13 mL), 4-dimethylamino pyridine (10.9 mg, 0.3 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at room temperature under argon atmosphere for 4 hr. Pyridine was removed under vacuum and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with 5% NaHCO₃ (20 mL) and brine (20 mL) . Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to dryness. Residue was placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ containing a few drops of pyridine to yield compound 133.

Example 73 N⁴-Benzoyl-2′-O-(2-N,N-dimethylaminooxyethyl)-5-dimethoxytrityl-5-methyl cytidine-31-O-phosphoramidite (134)

Compound 133 (1.54 g, 2.09 mmol) was co-evaporated with toluene (10 mL). It was then mixed with diisopropylamine tetrazolide (0.36 g, 2.09 mmol) and dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum at 40° C. overnight. Then it was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (11 mL) and 2-cyanoethyl-tetraisopropylphosphoramidite (2.66 mL, 8.36 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature under inert atmosphere for 4 hr. Solvent was removed under vacuum. Ethyl acetate (50 mL) was added to the residue and washed with 5% NaHCO₃ (30 mL) and brine (30 mL). Organic phase was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to dryness. Residue placed on a flash column and eluted with ethylacetate:hexane (60:40) containing a few drops of pyridine to get 134.

Example 74 2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside phosphoramidite (135)

For the incorporation of 2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside into oligonucleotides, we elected to use the phosphoramidite of protected 6-amino-2-fluoropurine riboside 135. Post-oligo synthesis, concomitant with the deprotection of oligonucleotide protection groups, the 2-fluoro group is displaced with ammonia to give the 2,6-diaminopurine riboside analog. Thus, 2,6-diaminopurine riboside is alkylated with dimethylaminooxyethylbromide 136 to afford a mixture of 2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside 137 and the 3′-isomer 138. Typically after functionalizing the 5′-hydroxyl with DMT to provide 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside 139, the 2′-isomer may be resolved chromatographically. Fluorination of 139 via the Schiemann reaction (Krolikiewicz, K.; Vorbruggen, H. Nucleosides Nucleotides, 1994, 13, 673-678) provides 2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl-6-amino-2-fluoro-purine riboside 140 and standard protection protocols affords 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl-6-dimethyformamidine-2-fluoropurine riboside 140. Phosphitylation of 140 gives 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl-6-dimethyformamidine-2-fluoropurine riboside-3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite] 138.

In the event that compound 139 cannot be resolved chromatographically from the 3′-isomer, the mixture of compounds 137 and 138 may be treated with adenosine deaminase, which is known to selectively deaminate 2′-O-substituted adenosine analogs in preference to the 3′-O-isomer, to afford 2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethylguanosine 142. 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethylguanosine 140 may be converted to the 2,6-diaminopurine riboside analog 139 by amination of the 6-oxo group (Gryaznov, S.; Schultz, R. G. Tetrahedron Lett. 1994, 2489-2492). This was then converted to the corresponding amidite 144 by standard protection methods and protocols for phosphitylation.

Example 75 2′/3′-O-[2-(tert-butyldimethylsilylhydroxy)ethyl]-2,6-diaminopurine riboside (145 and 146)

2,6-diaminopurine riboside (10 g, 35.46 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum. It was suspended in anhydrous DMF (180 mL) and NaH (1.2 g, 35.46 mmol, 60% dispersion in mineral oil) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature at inert atmosphere for 30 minutes. To this (2-bromoethoxy)-tert-butyldimethylsilane (12.73 g, 53.2 mmol) was added dropwise and the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature overnight. DMF was removed under vacuum, residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 mL) and washed with water (2×70 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and concentrated to dryness. Residue was placed on a flash column and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to get a mixture of products (6.0711 g, 31% yield). Rf 0.49, 0.59, 0.68 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂).

Example 76 2′-O-aminooxyethyl analogs

Various other 2′-O-aminooxyethyl analogs of nucleoside (for e.g., 2,6-diaminopurine riboside) may be prepared as compounds 154. Thus, alkylation of 2,6-diamino purine with (2-bromoethoxy)-tert-butyldimethylsilane gives 2′-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside 145 and the 3′-isomer 146. The desired 2′-O-isomer may be resolved by preparation of 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside 147 and subjecting the mixture to column chromatography. Deprotection of the silyl group provides 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-hydroxyethyl-2,6-diaminopurine riboside 148 which undergoes a Mitsunobu reaction to give 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)- 2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-2,6-diaminopurine riboside 149. Treatment of 149 under Schiemann conditions effects fluorination and deprotection of the DMT group to yield 2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-6-amino-2-fluoropurine riboside 150. Standard protection conditions provides 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-(2-phthalimido-N-oxyethyl)-6-dimethyformamidine-2-fluoropurine riboside 151 and deprotection of the phthalimido function affords 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-O-aminooxyethyl-6-dimethyformamidine-2-fluoropurine riboside 152.

Reductive amination of 152 with aldehydes or dialdehydes results in cyclic or acyclic disubstituted 2′-O-aminooxyethyl analogs 153. Phosphitylation of 153 provides cyclic or acyclic disubstituted 2′-O-aminooxyethyl analogs 154 as the phosphoramidites.

Example 77 2+/3′-O(2-tert-butyldimethylsilylhydroxyethyl)adenosine (155 and 156)

Adenosine (10 g, 37.42 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum. It was then suspended in anhydrous DMF (150 mL) and NaH (1.35 g, 56.13 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature under inert atmosphere for 30 min. Then (2-bromo ethyl)-tert-butyldimethylsilane (9.68 mL, 4.4.90 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature overnight. DMF was removed under vacuum and to the residue dichloromethane (100 mL) was added and washed with water (2×80 mL). Dichloromethane layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. Residue purified by column to get a mixture of products (4.30 g). Rf 0.49, 0.57 (10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂)

Example 78 2′-O-(2-methyleneiminooxyethyl) thymidine (157)

Compound 104 (3.10 g, 5.48 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum. In a 100 mL round bottom flask, triethylamine-trihydroflouride (8.93 mL, 54.8 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF and triethylamine (3.82 mL, 27.4 mmol) was added. The resulting solution was immediately added to the compound 104 and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Solvent was removed under vacuum. Residue obtained was placed on a flash column and eluted with 10% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ to yield 157 as white foam (1.35 g, 75% yield). Rf 0.45 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (FAB^(⊕)) m/e 330 (M+H^(⊕)), 352 (M+Na^(⊕))

Example 79 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2-methyleneiminooxyethyl) thymidine (158)

Compound 157 (0.64 g, 1.95 mmol) was dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight. It was then co-evaporated with anhydrous pyridine (5 mL). Residue dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (4.43 mL) and dimethoxytrityl chloride (0.79 g, 2.34 mmol), and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (23.8 mg, 0.2 mmol) was added. Reaction mixture was stirred under inert atmosphere at ambient temperature for 4 hrs. Solvent was removed under vacuum, the residue purified by column and eluted with 5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ containing a few drops of pyridine to yield 158 as a foam (1.09 g, 88% yield). Rf 0.4 (5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂). MS (Electrospray⁻) m/e 630 (M−H^(⊕))

Example 80 5′-O-dimethoxytrityl-2′-O-(2-methyleneiminooxyethyl) thymidine-3′-O-phosphoramidite (159)

Compound 158 (0.87 g, 1.34 mmol) was co-evaporated with toluene (10 mL). Residue was then mixed with diisopropylamine tetrazolide (0.23 g, 1.34 mmol) and dried over P₂O₅ under high vacuum overnight. It was then flushed with argon. Anhydrous acetonitrile (6.7 mL) was added to get a clear solution. To this solution 2-cyanoethyl tetraisopropylphosphorodiamidites (1.7 mL, 5.36 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 6 hr. under inert atmosphere. Solvent was removed under vacuum, the residue was diluted with ethyl acetate (40 mL), and washed with 5% NaHCO₃ (20 mL) and brine (20 mL). Ethyl acetate layer was dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to dryness. Residue placed on a flash column and eluted with ethyl acetate: hexane (60:40) to yield 159 (1.92 g, 80% yield). Rf 0.34 (ethyl acetate:hexane, 60:40). ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃) δ150.76 ppm, MS (Electrospray⁻) m/e 830 (M−H^(⊕)).

Example 81 Attachment of nucleoside to solid support general procedure

Compound 107 (200 mg, 0.31 mmol) was mixed with DMAP (19 mg, 16 mmol), succinic anhydride (47 mg, 0.47 mmol), triethylamine (86 mL, 0.62 mmol) and dichloromethane (0.8 mL) and stirred for 4 hr. The mixture was diluted with CH₂CO₂ (50 mL) and the CH₂Cl₂ layer was washed first with ice cold 10% aqueous citric acid and then with water. The organic phase was concentrated to dryness to yield 161. Residue (161) was dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (23 mL). To this DMAP (37 mg, 0.3 mmol), and 2′,2′-dithiobis(5-nitropyridine) (103 mg, 0.33 mmol) were added. The solution was stirred for 5 min. To this was added triphenylphosphine (78.69 mg, 0.3 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (3 mL). The solution was stirred for 10 min. and then CPG was added to it. The slurry was then shaken for 2 hr. It was then filtered, washed with acetonitrile and CH₂Cl₂. The functionalized CPG was dried and capped with capping solution to yield 161. Loading capacity was determined (58.3 μmol/g).

Example 82 Synthesis of aminooxy derivatives: Alternative procedure

The diol 162 is converted to its tosylate derivative 163 by treatment with 1 equivalent of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride-pyridine followed by standard work-up. The tosylate is subsequently treated with several amino-hydroxy compounds to act as nucleophils in displacing tosylate to yield a series of oxy-amino compounds. The reaction is facilitated by preforming the anion from the amino alcohol or hydroxylamine derivative by the use of sodium hydride under anhydrous conditions.

Example 83 General procedure for the Preparation of DMAOE Oligonucleotides and Gapped Oligonucleotides

A 0.1 m solution of each 2′-O-DMAOE amidite was prepared as a solution in anhydrous acetonitrile and loaded onto an Expedite Nucleic Acid synthesis system (Millipore) to synthesize oligonucleotides. All other amidites (A, T, C and G, PerSeptive Biosystem) used in synthesis also made as 0.1 M solution in anhydrous acetonitrile. All syntheses were carried out in the DMT on mode. For the coupling of the 2′-O-DMAOE amidites coupling time was extended to 10 minutes and this step was carried out twice. All other steps in the protocol supplied by Millipore were used except the extended oxidation time (240 seconds). 0.5 m solution of (S)-(+)-10-camphorsulfoyl)oxaziridine in anhydrous acetonitrile was used as oxidizer. Beaucage reagent was used for phosphorothioate synthesis. The overall coupling efficiencies were more than 90%. The oligonucleotides were cleaved from the controlled pore glass (CPG) supports and deprotected under standard conditions using concentrated aqueous NH₄OH (30%) at 55° C. 5′-O-DMT containing oligomers were then purified by reverse phase liquid chromatography (C-4, Waters, 7-8×300 mm, A=50 mM triethylammonium acetate pH 1, B=100%CH₃CN, 5 to 60% B in 60 minutes). Detritylation with aqueous 80% acetic acid (1 mL, 30 min., room temperature), evaporations, followed by desalting by using sephadese G-25 column gave oligonucleotides as pure foams. All oligomers were then analyzed by CGE, HPLC and mass spectrometry.

DMAOE GAPMERS HPLC Mass Retention Exp. Obs. time SEQ ID NO: Sequence 5′-3′ g/mol g/mol minutes Target 48 T*T*C*T* C*GCCCG 7440.68 7439.55 23.62 c-raf CTC* T*C*C*T*C*C* 49 T*T*C*T* C*GCTGGT 7018.43 7017.69 23.90 pkc-α GAGT* T*T*C*A* 50 T8T8C8T8C8GCCCGC 7600.68 7601.12 25.60 c-raf TCC*T*C*C*T*C*C* 51 T*T*C*T*C*G CTGGT 7146.44 7146.44 25.91 pkc-α GAGT*T*T*C*A* 52 T*T*C*T*C*GCCCGC 7543.30 7541.90 24.83 c-raf TCC*T*C*C*T*C*C* 53 T*T*C*T*C*GCTGGT 7189.71 7188.41 25.28 pkc-α GAGT*T*T*C*A* 54 T*T*C*T*C*GCCCGCT 7383.30 7379.64 22.60 c-raf CC*T*C*C*T*C*C* 55 T*T*C*T*C*GCTGGTG 7061.71 7059.70 23.02 pkc-α AGT*T*T*C*A* *modified positions-SEQ ID Nos. 48-51 are 2′-O-MOE and SEQ ID NOS. 52-55 are 2′-O-DMAOE; underlined nucleotides are joined by phosphorothioate linkages and all other internucleotide linkages are phosphodiester; all C's are 5-methyl C; and separations were performed using the following HPLC conditions: C-4 column, Waters 3.9 × 300 m.m, A = 50 mM TEAAc, B = CH₃CN, 5 to 60% in 60 min. Flow 1.5 mL/min., t = 260 nm.

For the synthesis of the foregoing oligonucleotides, especially the MOE gapmers, as controls the following modified amidites were used: 2′-O-methoxyethyl-thymidine (RIC,Inc. lot # E1050-P-10), 2′-O-methoxyethyl-5-methylcytidine (lot # S1941/RS), 2′-O-methoxyethyl-adenosine, and 5-methylcytidine (lot # 311094).

The required amounts of the amidites were placed in dried vials, dissolved in acetonitrile (unmodified nucleosides were made into 1M solutions and modified nucleosides were 100 mg/mL), and connected to the appropriate ports on a Millipore Expedite™ Nucleic Acid Synthesis System (ISIS 4). 30 mg of solid support resin was used in each column for 1 umole scale synthesis. The synthesis was run using the IBP-PS(1 umole)dblcoupling protocol for phosphorothioate backbones and CSO-8 for phosphodiesters. The trityl reports indicated normal coupling results.

After synthesis the oligonucleotides were deprotected with conc. ammonium hydroxide(aq) at 55° C. for approximately 16 hrs. Then they were evaporated, using a Savant AS160 Automatic SpeedVac, (to remove ammonia) and filtered to remove the CPG-resin.

The crude samples were analyzed by MS, HPLC, and CE. Then they were purified on a Waters 600E HPLC system with a 991 detector using a Waters C4 Prep. scale column (Alice C4 Prep. 10-16-96) and the following solvents: A: 50 mM TEA-Ac, pH 7.0 and B: acetonitrile utilizing the “MPREP2” method.

After purification the oligos were evaporated to dryness and then detritylated with 80% acetic acid at room temp. for approximately 30 min. Then they were evaporated.

The oligos were then dissolved in conc. ammonium hydroxide and run through a column containing Sephadex G-25 using water as the solvent and a Pharmacia LKB SuperFrac fraction collector. The resulting purified oligos were evaporated and analyzed by MS, CE, and HPLC.

SEQ ID Mass (g/mol) Mass (g/mol) NO: Observed Observed 52 7240.929 7239.91 53 6887.341 6882.51 54 7080.929 7076.04 55 6759.341 6756.51

Example 84 General Procedure for the Preparation of Uniformly Modified DMAOE Oligonucleotides

2-O-DMAOE amidites of A (225 mg, 0.23 mmol), ^(5me)C (150 mg, 0.16 mmol), G (300 mg, 0.31 mmol) and T (169.4 mg, 0.2 mmol) were dissolved in anhydous acetonitrile to get 0.1 M solutions. These solutions were loaded onto a Expedite Nucleic Acid Synthesis system (Millipore) to synthesize the oligonucleotides. The coupling efficiencies were more than 90%. For the coupling of the amidite 1 coupling time was extended to 10 minutes and this step was carried out twice. All other steps in the protocol supplied by Millipore were used except the extended coupling time. Becauge reagent (0.1 M in acetonitrile) was used as a sulferizing agent. For diester synthesis, CSO was used as the oxidizing agent.

The oligomers were cleaved from the controlled pore glass(CPG) supports and deprotected under standard conditions using concentrated aqueous NH₄OH (30%) at 55° C. 5′-O-DMT containing oligomers were then purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (C-4, Waters, 7.8×300 mm, A=50 mM triethyla-mmonium acetate, pH -7, B=acetonitrile, 5-60% of B in 60 min., flow 1.5 mL/min.). Detritylation with aqueous 80% acetic acid and evaporation, followed by desalting in a Sephadex G-25 column gave oligonulceotides 28059, 28060 and 22786. Oligonucleotides were analysed by HPLC, CGE and Mass spectrometry.

Mass HPLC expected/ retention SEQ ID # Sequence Target Observed time/min. 56 5-T*sC*sT*sG*sA*sG*s ICAM 8602.67/ 31.96 T*sA*sG*sC*sA*sG*sA*s 8607.74 G*sG*sA*sG*sC*sT*sC*-3′ 57 5′-T*C*T*G*A*G*T*A*G*C* ICAM 8298.66/ 28.44 A*G*A*G*G*A*G*C*T*C*-3′ 8301.38 58 5′-GCGTAT*ACG-3′ 3131.35/ 21.87@ 3130.25

HPLC Conditions C-18,Waters 3.9×300 mm, A=50 mM triethyammonium acetate, pH 7; B =Acetonitrile; 5 to 60% B in 55 min.; flow 1 mL/min., @ 5 to 18% B in 30 min.; flow 1.5 mL,min., T*=2′-O-DMAOE T, A*=2′-O-DMAOE A, C*=2′-O-DMAOE ^(5me)C, G*=2′-Q-DMAOE G.

PROCEDURE 1 Nuclease Resistance

A. Evaluation of the resistance of modified oligonucleotides to serum and cytoplasmic nucleases.

Oligonucleotides including the modified oligonucleotides of the invention can be assessed for their resistance to serum nucleases by incubation of the oligonucleotides in media containing various concentrations of fetal calf serum or adult human serum. Labeled oligonucleotides are incubated for various times, treated with protease K and then analyzed by gel electrophoresis on 20% polyacrylamide-urea denaturing gels and subsequent autoradiography. Autoradiograms are quantitated by laser densitometry. Based upon the location of the modifications and the known length of the oligonucleotide it is possible to determine the effect on nuclease degradation by the particular modification. For the cytoplasmic nucleases, a HL60 cell line is used. A post-mitochondrial supernatant is prepared by differential centrifugation and the labeled oligonucleotides are incubated in this supernatant for various times. Following the incubation, oligonucleotides are assessed for degradation as outlined above for serum nucleolytic degradation. Autoradiography results are quantitated for comparison of the unmodified and modified oligonucleotides. As a control, unsubstituted phosphodiester oligonucleotide have been found to be 50% degraded within 1 hour, and 100% degraded within 20 hours.

B. Evaluation of the resistance of modified oligonucleotides to specific endo- and exonucleases.

Evaluation of the resistance of natural and modified oligonucleotides to specific nucleases (i.e., endonucleases, 3′,5′-exo-, and 5′,3′-exonucleases) is done to determine the exact effect of the modifications on degradation. Modified oligonucleotides are incubated in defined reaction buffers specific for various selected nucleases. Following treatment of the products with protease K, urea is added and analysis on 20% polyacrylamide gels containing urea is done. Gel products were visualized by staining using Stains All (Sigma Chemical Co.). Laser densitometry is used to quantitate the extend of degradation. The effects of the modifications are determined for specific nucleases and compared with the results obtained from the serum and cytoplasmic systems.

Nuclease resistance of oligonucleotides contain- ing novel 2′-modifications Series I 5′TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT*T*T*T* T 3′ SEQ ID where T* = 5 methyl, 2′- 2′ AOE NO 20 aminooxyethoxy SEQ ID where T* = 5 methyl, 2′- 2′ DMAOE NO 21 dimethylaminooxyethoxy

Along with T19 diester and thioate controls, the gel purified oligos were 5′ end labeled with ³²P, and run through the standard nuclease assay protocol. PAGE/Phosphorimaging generated images that were quantified for % Intact and % (Intact+(N−1)). The percentages were plotted to generate half-lives, which are listed in a table below. Included is the half life of the 2′-O-methoxyethyl (MOE) analog (SEQ ID NO 22) in the table. This result showed that 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl (DMAOE) is a highly nuclease resistant modification (FIGS. 14 and 15).

2′-Modification AOE DMAOE MOE T1/2 of N  18 60 100 (min) T1/2 of N+ 200 85% remaining at 300 (N-1) (min) 24 hr.

Initial assays of the nuclease resistance of oligonucleotides capped with 2′-DMAOE modifications showed better resistance than modification 2′-O-methoxyethyl in an inter-assay comparison (FIG. 13). These studies are intra-assay comparisons among several modifications in two motifs. The first motif is a full phosphodiester backbone, with a cap of 4 modified nucleotides beginning at the 3′-most nucleotide. The second motif is similar, but contains a single phosphorothioate at the 3′-most inter nucleotide linkage.

Series II 5′ TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT T*T*T* T* 3′ SEQ ID where T* = 2′-O- NO 23 dimethylaminooxyethyl SEQ ID where T* = 2′-O-methoxyethyl NO 24 SEQ ID where T* = 2′-O-propyl NO 25 Series III 5′ TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT TTT*T 3′ SEQ ID where T* = 5 methyl, 2′- NO 26 dimethylaminooxyethyl SEQ ID where T* = 5 methyl, 2′-O- NO 27 methoxyethyl

Along with a T19 phosphorothioate control, the oligos were gel purified and run through the standard nuclease protocol. From these assays SEQ ID NO: 23 proved to be the next most resistant oligonucleotide. SEQ ID NO: 24 is degraded more readily, and SEQ ID NO:25 is degraded rather quickly. The gel shows some reaction products at the bottom of the gel, but little n-2 and n-3 of the resistant oligonucleotides. These products appear to be the result of endonucleolytic cleavage by SVPD. This type of activity is always present at a basal rate, but is not usually seen due to the overwhelming predominance of 3′ exonuclease activity on most oligonucleotides. However, these oligonucleotides are so extraordinarily resistant to 3′ exonucleases that the endonuclease activity is responsible for a majority of the cleavage events on the full-length oligo. 2′-deoxy phosphodiester products of the endonuclease reactions are then rapidly cleaved to monomers. Two sets of quantitation are done for these reactions. One counts only 3′-exonuclease products, and the other counts products for all reactions. In either case, the half-life of a SEQ ID NO: 23 is longer than 24 hours. For SEQ ID NO: 24 the half life of the exonuclease activity is over 24 hours while the other type of quantitation gives a half-life of about 100 min. The oligonucleotides of the motif containing a single phosphorothioate linkage (SEQ ID NO: 26 and SEQ ID NO: 27) are substrates for the endonuclease activity described above, but no products of 3′ exonuclease activity are detected in the time course of this assay.

TABLE 2 Oligonucleotides synthesized with 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) Mass SEQ ID NO: Sequence Exp. Obs. 28 5′-CTCGTACCT*TTCCGGTCC-3′ 5784.20 5784.09 29 5′-T*CCAGGT*GT*CCGCAT*C-3′ 5548.74 5549.05 30 5′-GCGT*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*GCG-3′ 6208.74 6210.52 31 5′-TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT*T*T*T*T-3′ 6433.45 6433.79 32 5′-T*T*T*T*-3′ 1869.96 1869.5 33 5′-TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT*T*T*_(s)T*-3′ 6449.45 6449.15 34 TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT*T*T*T*-3′ 6433.51 6433.19 35 5′-T*T*-3′  648.49  648.4

TABLE 3 Oligonucleotides synthesized with 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl adenosine (A-2′-DMAOE) Mass SEQ ID NO: Sequence Exp. Obs. 1 36 5′-CTCGTACCA*TTCCGGTCC-3′ 5490.21 5490.86 2 37 5′-GGA*CCGGA*A*GGTA*CGA*G-3′ 5824.96 5826.61 3 38 5′-A*CCGA*GGA*GGA*TCA*TGTCGTA*CGC-3′ 6947.9 6947.28

TABLE 4 Oligonucleotides synthesized with 2′-O-methyleneiminooxyethyl adenosine Mass SEQ ID NO: Sequence Ex. Obs. 39 5′-CTCGTACCA*TTCCGGTCC-3′ 5470.20 5472.50 40 5′-A*CCGA*GGA*TCA*TGTCGTA*CGC-3′ 6866.42 6865.88 41 5′-GGA*CCGGA*A*GGTA*CGA*G-3′ 5743.12 5743.82

TABLE 5 Oligonucleotides synthesized with 2′-O-methyleneiminooxyethyl thymidine Mass SEQ ID NO: Sequence Exp. Obs. 1 42 5′-CTCGTACCT*TTCCGGTCC-3′ 5466.21 5462.25 2 43 5′-T*CCAGGT*GT*CCGCAT*C-3′ 5179.44 5178.96 3 44 4′-TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT*T*T*T*T*-3′ 6369.45 6367.79

TABLE 6 Tm advantage of 2′-DMAOE modification over 2′-deoxy phosphodiesters and phosphorothioates ΔTm/mod against RNA ΔTm/mod compared against to RNA unmodified compared to deoxy- unmodified phosphoro- SEQ ID NO: SEQUENCE Tm DNA thioate 45 5′-CTCGTAC-CT*T- 65.44 0.24 1.04 TCCGGTCC-3′ 46 5′-T*CCAGGT*GT*C- 67.90 1.12 2.20 CGCAT*C-3′ 47 5′-GCGT*T*T*T*T*T* 62.90 1.46 2.36 T*T*T*T*GCG-3′ ΔTm is based on reported literature values for DNA and phosphorothioate oligonucleotides.

PROCEDURE 2 Ras-Luciferase Reporter Gene Assembly

The ras-luciferase reporter genes described in this study are assembled using PCR technology. Oligonucleotide primers are synthesized for use as primers for PCR cloning of the 5′-regions of exon 1 of both the mutant (codon 12) and non-mutant (wild-type) human H-ras genes. H-ras gene templates are purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC numbers 41000 and 41001) in Bethesda, Md. The oligonucleotide PCR primers 5′-ACA-TTA-TGC-TAG-CTT-TTT-GAG-TAA-ACT-TGT-GGG-GCA-GGA-GAC-CCT-GT-3′(sense) (SEQ ID NO:16), and 5′-GAG-ATC-TGA-AGC-TTC-TGG-ATG-GTC-AGC-GC-3′ (antisense) (SEQ ID NO:17), are used in standard PCR reactions using mutant and non-mutant H-ras genes as templates. These primers are expected to produce a DNA product of 145 base pairs corresponding to sequences −53 to +65 (relative to the translational initiation site) of normal and mutant H-ras, flanked by NheI and HindIII restriction endonuclease sites. The PCR product is gel purified, precipitated, washed and resuspended in water using standard procedures.

PCR primers for the cloning of the P. pyralis (firefly) luciferase gene were designed such that the PCR product would code for the full-length luciferase protein with the exception of the amino-terminal methionine residue, which would be replaced with two amino acids, an amino-terminal lysine residue followed by a leucine residue. The oligonucleotide PCR primers used for the cloning of the luciferase gene are 5′-GAG-ATC-TGA-AGC-TTG-AAG-ACG-CCA-AAA-ACA-TAA-AG-3′(sense) (SEQ ID NO:18), and 5′-ACG-CAT-CTG-GCG-CGC-CGA-TAC-CGT-CGA-CCT-CGA-3′ (antisense) (SEQ ID NO:19), are used in standard PCR reactions using a commercially available plasmid (pT3/T7-Luc) (Clontech), containing the luciferase reporter gene, as a template. These primers are expected to yield a product of approximately 1.9 kb corresponding to the luciferase gene, flanked by HindIII and BssHII restriction endonuclease sites. This fragment is gel purified, precipitated, washed and resuspended in water using standard procedures.

To complete the assembly of the ras-luciferase fusion reporter gene, the ras and luciferase PCR products are digested with the appropriate restriction endonucleases and cloned by three-part ligation into an expression vector containing the steroid-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus promotor MMTV using the restriction endonucleases NheI, HindIII and BssHII. The resulting clone results in the insertion of H-ras 5′ sequences (−53 to +65) fused in frame with the firefly luciferase gene. The resulting expression vector encodes a ras-luciferase fusion product which is expressed under control of the steroid-inducible MMTV promoter.

PROCEDURE 3 Transfection of Cells with Plasmid DNA

Transfections are performed as described by Greenberg in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel et al., Eds., John Wiley and Sons, New York, with the following modifications: HeLa cells are plated on 60 mm dishes at 5×10⁵ cells/dish. A total of 10 μg of DNA is added to each dish, of which 9 μg is ras-luciferase reporter plasmid and 1 μg is a vector expressing the rat glucocorticoid receptor under control of the constitutive Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) promoter. Calcium phosphate-DNA coprecipitates are removed after 16-20 hours by washing with Tris-buffered saline (50 Mm Tris-Cl (pH 7.5), 150 mM NaCl) containing 3 mM EGTA. Fresh medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum is then added to the cells. At this time, cells are pre-treated with antisense oligonucleotides prior to activation of reporter gene expression by dexamethasone.

PROCEDURE 4 Oligonucleotide Treatment of Cells

Immediately following plasmid transfection, cells are thrice washed with OptiMEM (GIBCO), and prewarmed to 37° C. 2 ml of OptiMEM containing 10 μg/ml N-[1-(2,3-diolethyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N,-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTMA) (Bethesda Research Labs, Gaithersburg, Md.) is added to each dish and oligonucleotides are added directly and incubated for 4 hours at 37° C. OptiMEM is then removed and replaced with the appropriate cell growth medium containing oligonucleotide. At this time, reporter gene expression is activated by treatment of cells with dexamethasone to a final concentration of 0.2 μM. Cells are harvested 12-16 hours following steroid treatment.

PROCEDURE 5 Luciferase Assays

Luciferase is extracted from cells by lysis with the detergent Triton X-100, as described by Greenberg in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel et al., Eds., John Wiley and Sons, New York. A Dynatech ML10000 luminometer is used to measure peak luminescence upon addition of luciferin (Sigma) to 625 μM. For each extract, luciferase assays are performed multiple times, using differing amounts of extract to ensure that the data are gathered in the linear range of the assay.

PROCEDURE 6 Antisense Oligonucleotide Inhibition of ras-Luciferase Gene Expression

A series of antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide analogs targeted to the codon-12 point mutation of activated H-ras are tested using the ras-luciferase reporter gene system described in the foregoing examples. This series comprised a basic sequence and analogs of that basic sequence. The basic sequence is of known activity as reported in International Publication Number WO 92/22651 identified above. In both the basic sequence and its analogs, each of the nucleotide subunits incorporated phosphorothioate linkages to provide nuclease resistance. Each of the analogs incorporated nucleotide subunits that contained 2′-O-substitutions and 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugars. In the analogs, a subsequence of the 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar-containing subunits is flanked on both ends by subsequences of 2′-O-substituted subunits. The analogs differed from one another with respect to the length of the subsequence of the 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl sugar containing nucleotides. The length of these subsequences are varied by 2 nucleotides between 1 and 9 total nucleotides. The 2′-deoxy-erythro-pentofuranosyl nucleotide sub-sequences are centered at the point mutation of the codon-12 point mutation of the activated ras.

PROCEDURE 7 Diagnostic Assay for the Detection of mRNA overexpression

Oligonucleotides are radiolabeled after synthesis by ³²P labeling at the 5′ end with polynucleotide kinase. Sambrook et al. (“Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual,” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989, Volume 2, pg. 11.31-11.32). Radiolabeled oligonucleotide is contacted with tissue or cell samples suspected of mRNA overexpression, such as a sample from a patient, under conditions in which specific hybridization can occur, and the sample is washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide. A similar control is maintained wherein the radiolabeled oligonucleotide is contacted with normal cell or tissue sample under conditions that allow specific hybridization, and the sample is washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide. Radioactivity remaining in the sample indicates bound oligonucleotide and is quantitated using a scintillation counter or other routine means. Comparison of the radioactivity remaining in the samples from normal and diseased cells indicates overexpression of the mRNA of interest.

Radiolabeled oligonucleotides of the invention are also useful in autoradiography. Tissue sections are treated with radiolabeled oligonucleotide and washed as described above, then exposed to photographic emulsion according to standard autoradiography procedures. A control with normal cell or tissue sample is also maintained. The emulsion, when developed, yields an image of silver grains over the regions overexpressing the mRNA, which is quantitated. The extent of mRNA overexpression is determined by comparison of the silver grains observed with normal and diseased cells.

Analogous assays for fluorescent detection of mRNA expression use oligonucleotides of the invention which are labeled with fluorescein or other fluorescent tags. Labeled DNA oligonucleotides are synthesized on an automated DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems model 380B) using standard phosphoramidite chemistry with oxidation by iodine. β-cyanoethyldiisopropyl phosphoramidites are purchased from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Fluorescein-labeled amidites are purchased from Glen Research (Sterling, Va.). Incubation of oligonucleotide and biological sample is carried out as described for radiolabeled oligonucleotides except that instead of a scintillation counter, a fluorescence microscope is used to detect the fluorescence. Comparison of the fluorescence observed in samples from normal and diseased cells enables detection of mRNA overexpression.

PROCEDURE 8 Detection of Abnormal mRNA Expression

Tissue or cell samples suspected of expressing abnormal mRNA are incubated with a first ³²P or fluorescein-labeled oligonucleotide which is targeted to the wild-type (normal) mRNA. An identical sample of cells or tissues is incubated with a second labeled oligonucleotide which is targeted to the abnormal mRNA, under conditions in which specific hybridization can occur, and the sample is washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide. Label remaining in the sample indicates bound oligonucleotide and can be quantitated using a scintillation counter, fluorimeter, or other routine means. The presence of abnormal mRNA is indicated if binding is observed in the case of the second but not the first sample.

Double labeling can also be used with the oligonucleotides and methods of the invention to specifically detect expression of abnormal mRNA. A single tissue sample is incubated with a first ³²P-labeled oligonucleotide which is targeted to wild-type mRNA, and a second fluorescein-labeled oligonucleotide which is targeted to the abnormal mRNA, under conditions in which specific hybridization can occur. The sample is washed to remove unbound oligonucleotide and the labels are detected by scintillation counting and fluorimetry. The presence of abnormal mRNA is indicated if the sample does not bind the ³²P-labeled oligonucleotide (i.e., is not radioactive) but does retain the fluorescent label (i.e., is fluorescent).

PROCEDURE 9 Binding Affinity of DMAOE Vs. 2′-deoxyphosphorothioate

The binding affinities of oligonucleotides having either 4 or 10 DMAOE modifications (SEQ ID NO's: 29 and 30) versus each of 3 complementary sequences was determined. The complementary sequences were a) MOE phosphodiesters with each MOE oligonucleotide substituted at the same positions as the DMAOE oligonucleotides; b) a uniform 2′-deoxy phosphodiester; and c) a uniform 2′-deoxyphosphorothioate. The DMAOE modified oligonucleotides show nearly 2.5° C. increase in Tm for each modification compared to the uniform 2′-deoxy phosphorothioate. Compared to the unmodified uniform 2′-deoxy phosphodiester the DMAOE oligonucleotides showed about a 1.6° C. increase in Tm. This will translate into 2.5° C/modification compared to the P=S uniform 2′-deoxyphosphorothioate DNA. More importantly, this increase is even higher than the 2′-MOE by 0.4° C./modification, which is surprising in view of the larger size of DMAOE compared to MOE oligonucleotides.

TABLE 7 Binding Affinity Advantage of 2′-DMAOE over 2′-MOE (P = O), 2′-deoxyphosphodiester and 2′-deoxyphosphorothioate SEQ Tm vs. Tm vs. 2′-H Tm vs. 2′-H number of ID NO: MOE, ° C. (P = O), ° C. (P = S), ° C. mods 29 0.4 1.6 2.4  4 30 0.4 1.7 2.5 10

PROCEDURE 10 Procedure A ICAM-1 Expression

Oligonucleotide Treatment of HUVECs Cells were washed three times with Opti-MEM (Life Technologies, Inc.) prewarmed to 37° C. Oligonucleotides were premixed with 10 μg/mL Lipofectin (Life Technologies, Inc.) in Opti-MEM, serially diluted to the desired concentrations, and applied to washed cells. Basal and untreated (no oligonucleotide) control cells were also treated with Lipofectin. Cells were incubated for 4 h at 37° C., at which time the medium was removed and replaced with standard growth medium with or without 5 mg/mL TNF-a (R&D Systems). Incubation at 37° C. was continued until the indicated times.

Quantitation of ICAM-1 Protein Expression by Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorter Cells were removed from plate surface by brief trypsinization with 0.25% trypsin in PBS. Trypsin activity was quenched with a solution of 2% bovine serum albumin and 0.2% sodium azide in PBS (+Mg/Ca). Cells were pelleted by centrifugation (1000 rpm, Beckman GPR centrifuge), resuspended in PBS, and stained with 3 μL/10⁵ cells of-the ICAM-1 specific antibody, CD54-PE (Pharmingin). Antibodies were incubated with the cells for 30 min at 4° C. in the dark, under gentle agitation. Cells were washed by centrifugation procedures and then resuspended in 0.3 mL of FacsFlow buffer (Becton Dickinson) with 0.5% formaldehyde (Polysciences). Expression of cell surface ICAM-1 was then determined by flow cytometry using a Becton Dickinson FACScan. Percentage of the control ICAM-1 expression was calculated as follows: [(oligonucleotide-treated ICAM-1 value)−(basal ICAM-1 value)/(non-treated ICAM-1 value)−(basal ICAM-1 value))]. In one study, 2′-O-(2-methoxy)ethyl-modified anti-intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) oligonucleotides were shown to selectively increase the ICAM-1 mRNA level and inhibit formation of the ICAM-1 translation initiation complex in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (Baker, et al., The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1997, 272, 11994-12000).

ICAM-1 expression data reveal that the DMAOE oligomers SEQ ID NO: 56 (uniform DMAOE, P=S) and SEQ ID NO: 57 (uniform DMAOE, P=O) are efficacious in HUVEC cells in controlling ICAM-1 expression. The oligomers are presumably working by a direct binding RNase H independent mechanism. The MOE oligomers having SEQ ID NO: 56 (P=S) and ID NO: 56 (P=O) stand as controls. They have the same sequence composition as SEQ ID NO: 56 and SEQ ID NO: 57.

Both compounds SEQ ID NO: 56 and SEQ ID NO: 57 display dose response in inhibiting ICAM-1 expression between 3 and 100 nM range.

Procedure B PKC-a mRNA Expression in A549 Cells

This assay was carried out according to a reported procedure (Dean, N. et al., Journal of Biology and Chemistry, 269, 16416-16424, 1994). Human A549 lung carcinoma cells were obtained from the American Type Tissue Collection. These were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 1 g of glucose/liter (DMEM) and 10% FCS and routinely passaged when 90-95% confluent.

Assay for Oligonucleotide Inhibition of PKC-a Protein Synthesis A549 cells were plated in 6-well plates (Falcon Labware, Lincoln Park, N.J.) and 24-48 h later (when 80-90% confluent) treated with 1 μM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) for 18 h. This procedure removes greater than 75% of immunoreactive PKC-a protein from the cells (see “Results”). Cells were then washed three times with 3 mL of DMEM (to remove PDBu), and 1 mL of DMEM containing 20 μg/mL DOTMA/DOPE solution (Lipofectin^(R)) (Bethesda Research Laboratories) was added. Oligonucleotide was then added to the required concentration (for our initial screen, 1 μM) from a 10 μM stock solution, and the two solutions were mixed by swirling of the dish. The cells were incubated at 37° C. for 4 h, washed once with DMEM+10% FCS to remove the DOTMA/DOPE solution, and then an additional 3 mL of DMEM+10% FCS was added and the cells were allowed to recover for another 10 h. More prolonged incubation times with DOTMA/DOPE solution resulted in increased cellular toxicity. At this time, cells were washed once in PBS and then extracted in 200 μL of lysis buffer consisting of 20 mM Tris (pH 7.4), 1% Triton X100, 5 mM EGTA, 2 mM dithiothreitol, 50 mM sodium fluoride, 10 mM sodium phosphate, leupeptin (2 μg/mL), and aprotinin (1 μg/mL) (at 4° C.). PKC-a protein levels were determined by immunoblotting with a PKC-a specific monoclonal antibody. Results: DMAOE oligonucleotide gapmers SEQ ID NO: 53 (P=S/P=S/P=S gapmer) and SEQ ID NO: 55 (P=O/P=S/P=O gapmers) inhibit PKC-a mRNA expression in A549 cells in a dose dependent manner between 50-400 nM range. The uniform P=S gapmer is more efficacious than the mixed backbone gapmer. In this experiment the corresponding MOE oligomers were used as the control compounds. The DMAOE oligomers and the MOE oligomers exhibit similar activity in reducing PKC-a mRNA levels.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

58 1 11 DNA Artificial Sequence unsure (1) n is unknown 1 nttttttttt t 11 2 26 DNA Artificial Sequence unsure (1) n is unknown 2 ntgcatcccc caggccacca tttttt 26 3 16 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 3 gcgttttttt tttgcg 16 4 19 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 4 cgcaaaaaaa aaaaaacgc 19 5 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 5 ctcgtacctt tccggtcc 18 6 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 6 ctcgtacctt tccggtcc 18 7 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 7 ctcgtacttt tccggtcc 18 8 18 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (8)..(11) t = 1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl] thymine 8 ctcgtacttt tccggtcc 18 9 16 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 9 gcgttttttt tttgcg 16 10 16 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (4)..(13) t = 1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl] thymine 10 gcgttttttt tttgcg 16 11 16 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 11 gcgttttttt tttgcg 16 12 16 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (4)..(13) t = 1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl] thymine 12 gcgttttttt tttgcg 16 13 18 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (9) a = 1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl] adenosine 13 ctcgtaccat tccggtcc 18 14 17 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (3) a = 1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl] adenosine 14 ggaccggaag gtacgag 17 15 21 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) a = 1-[2′-O-(2-aminooxyethyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl] adenosine 15 accgaggatc atgtcgtacg c 21 16 47 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 16 acattatgct agctttttga gtaaacttgt ggggcaggag accctgt 47 17 29 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 17 gagatctgaa gcttctggat ggtcagcgc 29 18 35 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 18 gagatctgaa gcttgaagac gccaaaaaca taaag 35 19 33 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 19 acgcatctgg cgcgccgata ccgtcgacct cga 33 20 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (15)..(18) 5 methyl, 2′-aminooxyethoxy 20 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 21 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (15)..(18) 5 methyl, 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy 21 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 22 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (15)..(18) 2′-O-methoxyethyl (MOE) 22 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 23 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (16)..(19) 2′-O-dimethylaminooxyethyl 23 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 24 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (16)..(19) 2′-O-methoxyethyl 24 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 25 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (16)..(19) 2′-O-propyl 25 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 26 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (18) 5 methyl, 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl 26 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 27 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (18) 5 methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl 27 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 28 18 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (9) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 28 ctcgtacctt tccggtcc 18 29 16 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 29 tccaggtgtc cgcatc 16 30 16 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (4)..(13) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 30 gcgttttttt tttgcg 16 31 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (15)..(18) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 31 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 32 4 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(4) 2′-dimethyaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 32 tttt 4 33 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (16)..(19) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 33 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 34 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (16)..(19) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 34 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 35 2 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(2) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl thymidine (T-2′-DMAOE) 35 tt 2 36 18 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (9) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl adenosine (A-2′-DMAOE) 36 ctcgtaccat tccggtcc 18 37 17 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (3) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl adenosine (A-2′-DMAOE) 37 ggaccggaag gtacgag 17 38 24 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl adenosine (A-2′-DMAOE) 38 accgaggagg atcatgtcgt acgc 24 39 18 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (9) 2′-O-methyleneiminooxyethyl adenosine 39 ctcgtaccat tccggtcc 18 40 21 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) 2′-O-methyleneimooxyethyl adenosine 40 accgaggatc atgtcgtacg c 21 41 17 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (3) 2′-O-methyleneiminooxyethyl adenosine 41 ggaccggaag gtacgag 17 42 18 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (9) 2′-O-methyleneiminooxyethyl thymidine 42 ctcgtacctt tccggtcc 18 43 16 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) 2′-O-methyleneiminooxyethyl thymidine 43 tccaggtgtc cgcatc 16 44 19 DNA Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Novel Sequence 44 tttttttttt ttttttttt 19 45 18 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (9) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl 45 ctcgtacctt tccggtcc 18 46 16 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl 46 tccaggtgtc cgcatc 16 47 16 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (4)..(13) 2′-dimethylaminooxyethyl 47 gcgttttttt tttgcg 16 48 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-MOE 48 ttctcgcccg ctctcctcc 19 49 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-MOE 49 ttctcgctgg tgagtttca 19 50 20 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-MOE 50 ttctcgcccg ctcctcctcc 20 51 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-MOE 51 ttctcgctgg tgagtttca 19 52 20 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-DMAOE 52 ttctcgcccg ctcctcctcc 20 53 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-DMAOE 53 ttctcgctgg tgagtttca 19 54 20 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-DMAOE 54 ttctcgcccg ctcctcctcc 20 55 19 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1)..(5) 2′-O-DMAOE 55 ttctcgctgg tgagtttca 19 56 20 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) 2′-O-DMAOE T 56 tctgagtagc agaggagctc 20 57 20 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (1) 2′-O-DMAOE T 57 tctgagtagc agaggagctc 20 58 9 DNA Artificial Sequence misc_feature (6) 2′-O-DMAOE T 58 gcgtatacg 9 

What is claimed is:
 1. An oligonucleotide specifically hybridizable with DNA or RNA comprising a sequence of from about 5 to about 50 nucleotide units, wherein: said sequence is divided into a first region having 2′-O-alkyl substituted nucleotide units and a second region being composed of nucleotide units having 2′-deoxy sugar moieties; said nucleotide units of at least one of said first or second regions are connected by phosphorothioate linkages; and at least one of said 2′-O-alkyl substituted nucleotide units of said first region bears a 2′-aminooxy group having one of the formulas:

wherein: m is from 1 to 10; y is from 1 to 10; x is 1; E is N (R₁)(R₂), —NH—CH(R₁)(R₂) or N═C(R₁)(R₂); and each R₁ and R₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a nitrogen protecting group, or R₁ and R₂, together, are a nitrogen protecting group or wherein R₁ and R₂ are joined in a ring structure that can include at least one heteroatom selected from N and O.
 2. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide units of said first and second regions are connected by phosphorothioate linkages.
 3. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide units of said first region are connected by phosphodiester linkages and said nucleotide units of said second region are connected by phosphorothioate linkages.
 4. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide units of said first region are connected by phosphorothioate linkages and said nucleotide units of said second region are connected by phosphodiester linkages.
 5. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein said second region has at least three nucleotide units.
 6. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 wherein said second region has at least five nucleotide units.
 7. The compound of claim 1 wherein said 2′-aminooxy group is an aminooxyethyl group.
 8. The compound of claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently H or C₁-C₁₀ alkyl.
 9. The compound of claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are joined in a ring structure that can include at least one heteroatom selected from N and O.
 10. The compound of claim 9 wherein said ring structure is imidazolyl, pipieridinyl, morpholinyl or substituted piperazinyl.
 11. The compound of claim 10 wherein said substituted piperazinyl bears a C₁-C₁₂ alkyl substituent.
 12. The oligonucleotide of claim 1 having a third region, said third region having 2′-O-alkyl substituted nucleotide units, wherein said second region is positioned between said first and third regions.
 13. The oligonucleotide of claim 12 wherein said nucleotide units of said first, second and third regions are connected by phosphorothioate linkages.
 14. The oligonucleotide of claim 12 wherein said nucleotide units of said first and third regions are connected by phosphodiester linkages and said nucleotide units of said second region are connected by phosphorothioate linkages.
 15. The oligonucleotide of claim 12 wherein said nucleotide units of said first and third regions are connected by phosphorothioate linkages and said nucleotide units of said second region are connected by phosphodiester linkages.
 16. The oligonucleotide of claim 12 wherein said second region has at least three nucleotide units.
 17. The oligonucleotide of claim 12 wherein said second region has at least five nucleotide units.
 18. The oligonucleotide of claim 12 wherein at least one of said 2′-O-alkyl substituted nucleotide units of said third region bears a 2′-aminooxy group having one of said formulas.
 19. A method for preparing a compound of formula:

wherein: Bx is a heterocyclic base; T₁ and T₂, independently, are OH, a protected hydroxyl, an activated phosphate group, an activated phosphite group, or a reactive group for forming an internucleotide linkage; n is from 1 to 10; E is N(R₁)(R₂), —NH—CH(R₁)(R₂)— or N═C(R₁)(R₂); each R₁ and R₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a nitrogen protecting group, or R₁ and R₂, together, are a nitrogen protecting group or wherein R₁ and R₂ are joined in a ring structure wherein said ring can include at least one heteroatom selected from N(R₁) and O; comprising the steps of: contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—OH nucleoside with N-hydroxyphthalimide to form a 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O-phthalimido nucleoside; contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O-phthalimido nucleoside with a basic reagent, followed by a carbonyl-containing compound, to form a 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N—C(R₁)(R₂) nucleoside; and optionally contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N═C(R₁)(R₂) nucleoside with a reducing agent, followed by a carbonyl-containing compound in the presence of a reducing agent, to form a 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N(R₁)(R₂) nucleoside.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein Bx is a 5-methyluracilyl, uracilyl, cytosinyl, 5-methylcytosinyl, guaninyl, adeninyl, or 2,6-diaminopurinyl group.
 21. The method of claim 19 wherein Bx is uracilyl or 5-methyl-uracilyl further comprising the step of contacting said uracilyl or 5-methyl-uracilyl with reagents to convert said uracilyl to cytosinyl or said 5-methyluracilyl to 5-methylcytosinyl.
 22. The method of claim 19 further comprising selectively protecting primary hydroxyl and primary amino groups of said nucleosides.
 23. The method of claim 19 further comprising contacting said nucleoside with a chemical protecting group to protect a 5′-hydroxyl group thereof, thereby providing a 5′-O-protected-2′-O-substituted nucleoside.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein said chemical protecting group is a trityl, monomethoxytrityl, dimethoxytrityl, trimethoxytrityl, 9-phenylxanthine-9-yl or 9-(p-methoxyphenyl)xanthine-9-yl group.
 25. The method of claim 23 further comprising contacting said 5′-O-protected-2′-O-substituted nucleoside with a phosphitylating reagent to provide a 5′-O-protected-2′-O-substituted nucleoside phosphoramidite.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein said phosphitylating reagent comprises 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-isopropylphosphorodiamidite or 2-cyanoethyl diisopropylchlorophosphoramidite.
 27. The method of claim 19 wherein said basic reagent comprises hydrazine, methylhydrazine, ammonia, alkylhydrazines, or methylamine.
 28. A method for preparing a compound of formula:

wherein: Bj is a heterocyclic base; T₁ and T₂, independently, are OH, a protected hydroxyl, an activated phosphate group, an activated phosphite group, or a reactive group for forming an internucleotide linkage; n is from 1 to 10; E is N(R₁)(R₂), —NH—CH(R₁)(R₂) or N═C(R₁)(R₂); each R₁ and R₂ is, independently, H, C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, a nitrogen protecting group, or R₁ and R₂, together, are a nitrogen protecting group or wherein R₁ and R₂ are joined in a ring structure wherein said ring can include at least one heteroatom selected from N(R₁) and O; comprising the steps of: alkylating a 2′-OH nucleoside to provide a 2′-O—(CH₂)—CH═CH₂nucleoside, wherein z is an integer from 1 to 9; contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(z)—CH═CH₂ nucleoside with at least one oxidizing agent to provide a 2′-O-(CH₂)_(z)—CHO nucleoside; reducing said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(z)—CHO nucleoside with a reducing agent to provide a 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—OH nucleoside; contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—OH nucleoside with N-hydroxyphthalimide to provide a 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O-phthalimido substituted nucleoside; contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O-phthalimido nucleoside with a basic reagent, followed by a carbonyl-containing compound, to provide a 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N═C(R₁)(R₂) nucleoside; and optionally contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N═C(R₁)(R₂) nucleoside with a reducing agent, followed by a carbonyl-containing compound in the presence of a reducing agent, to form a 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—O—N(R₁)(R₂) nucleoside.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein Bj is a 5-methyluracilyl, uracilyl, cytosinyl, 5-methylcytosinyl, adeninyl or 2,6-diaminopurinyl group.
 30. The method of claim 29 further comprising selectively chemically protecting primary hydroxyl and primary amino groups of said nucleosides.
 31. The method of claim 28 further comprising contacting said 2′-O—(CH₂)_(n)—CH═CH₂ nucleoside wherein Bj is 2,6-diaminopurinyl with adenosine deaminase to convert said 2,6-diaminopurinyl to guaninyl.
 32. The method of claim 28 further comprising contacting said 2′-O-substituted nucleoside with a chemical protecting group to provide a 5′-O-protected-2′-substituted nucleoside.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein said chemical protecting group is a trityl, monomethoxytrityl, dimethoxytrityl, trimethoxytrityl, 9-phenylxanthine-9-yl or 9-(p-methoxyphenyl)xanthine-9-yl group.
 34. The method of claim 32 further comprising contacting said 5′-O-protected-2′-substituted nucleoside with a phosphitylating reagent to provide a 5′-O-protected-2′-substituted nucleoside phosphoramidite.
 35. The method of claim 31 wherein said phosphitylating reagent is 2-cyanoethyl-N,N,N′,N′-tetra-isopropylphosphorodiamidite or 2-cyanoethyl diisopropyl-chlorophosphoramidite.
 36. The method of claim 28 wherein said at least one oxidizing agent is 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide/osmium tetraoxide followed by sodium periodate or ozonolysis.
 37. The method of claim 28 wherein said basic reagent comprises hydrazine, methylhydrazine, ammonia, alkylhydrazines, or methylamine. 